Nick of Time

"Bug Man" Nick Polchak is at it again in this thriller that will have readers guessing if he can solve the crime and make his nuptials. Nick is only a few days away from marrying his fianc%C3%A9e, Alena, but he insists on driving to Philadelphia to make his monthly Vidocq Society meeting of forensics professionals. Wanting to catch up with his friend and fellow forensic scientist Pete Boudreau, Nick reaches the city of Brotherly Love, only to find out that his friend has been murdered. Not one to leave a case to the cops, Nick sets out on his own and winds up in the Poconos, looking for a man that Pete supposedly worked with not long before his death. As the bodies pile up, Nick starts to suspect everyone he meets. Complicating matters, his stranded fianc%C3%A9e launches an investigation of her own to figure out Nick's whereabouts. But neither of them is prepared to discover what they find. Downs (Wonders Never Cease) crafts a fast-paced winner that surely will delight fans of the series. The quirky characters%E2%80%94especially Nick with his savantlike etymological knowledge%E2%80%94prevent the novel from being formulaic or predictable. It's up to readers to figure out the unconventional clues. (May)