Death Casts a Shadow: A Dave Cubiak Door County Mystery

In Skalka’s well-constructed seventh and final outing for Dave Cubiak, the sheriff of Wisconsin’s Door County (after 2021’s Death Washes Ashore), Regina Malcaster, “the grande dame of Northern Door,” wants Cubiak, who is as kind as he is astute, to call on her niece, wealthy widow Lydia Malcaster. Regina is concerned because 64-year-old Lydia is being wooed over the internet by a man claiming to be an old college friend of Lydia’s late husband. The day after Lydia tells Cubiak there’s nothing to worry about, she’s found dead at the foot of the stairs in her home, her body covering a Frederick Remington statue said to be worth millions. Though Lydia’s death is deemed an accident, Cubiak decides he should investigate it as a possible homicide. Another suspicious accident raises the stakes. As he searches for answers, Cubiak, who’s been county sheriff for close to 20 years, realizes that he still doesn’t know the secrets festering beneath the surface of his little community. Skalka’s descriptions of the wintery landscape ring true, as does the relationship between Cubiak and his wife and son. His many fans will miss him. (June)