Watch Where They Hide: A Jordan Manning Mystery

Television journalist Hall follows up As the Wicked Watch with a dreary second whodunit featuring Chicago crime reporter Jordan Manning. Channel 8 News has just offered Jordan her own program, and the station switchboard is lighting up with calls from viewers pleading to have their stories covered. One such request comes from Shelly Biltmore, an Indiana woman who believes her missing sister, Marla, has been murdered, possibly by her estranged, abusive husband. Jordan doesn’t think much of the call until Shelly shows up in Chicago, pleading for her assistance. Jordan returns with Shelly to Indiana to interview a long list of Marla’s friends and potential suspects, and uncovers evidence of her involvement in some dark sexual escapades. The plot meanders along, occasionally heating up with admissions of infidelity or abuse, but Hall gives the mystery little shape: Jordan does not so much investigate as wait for her sources to launch into revealing monologues. Rote sections that break from the main plot to document Jordan’s struggles with workplace prejudice and lackluster romantic encounters don’t help. This is nothing special. Agent: Eve Atterman, WME. (Mar.)