Dig Your Grave: A Gus Parker and Alex Mills Novel

A murder scene in a Phoenix, Ariz., cemetery, where the unknown victim was forced to dig his own grave before being beaten to death, puzzles homicide detective Alex Mills and his team in Cooper’s funny, thoughtful sequel to 2017’s Desert Remains. A cardboard sign bearing a message of apology from the dead man marks the grave. Alex turns for help to his psychic friend, Gus Parker, whose visions can be useful, even if fragmented and erratically available. Gus does start getting tantalizing glimpses of events that led up to the crime—mixed with hints that a stalker is after his lover, rock ’n’ roll legend Billie Welch. More graveyard murders occur, while an apparently deranged fan closes in on Gus and Billie. Along with the authentic police procedural detail, Cooper provides quirky and vivid characters, smart and snarky social observations, and challenging but fulfilling personal relationships. This is first-rate entertainment. [em]Agent: Anne Collette, Rees Literary Agency. (Oct.) [/em]