Lockout

In her 30th novel, O'Donnell ( Pushover ) sets NYPD Lieutenant Norah Mulcahaney to solve problems in all facets of her life in this fast-paced procedural. When music star Bo Russel discovers his brother Ben shot to death in a recording studio booth, Norah is called to the scene. While she assesses the high-visibility crime, police officers from all over New York rally at City Hall against an all-civilian review board. Watching on TV, Norah recognizes one of her own men, Al Sutphin, who should have been on duty at the time but seems to be carrying a placard. Norah is asked by her superiors to identify anyone she knows on the videotape; tension builds in the squad room as personnel wonder whether or not she fingered Sutphin. At the same time, the widowed, 40-ish Norah has applied to adopt a baby. On another case, she shoots a man she believes to be armed, only to have Sutphin, next on the scene and the investigating officer, tell her he can't find a weapon. Internal affairs initiates an investigation, which she fears will jeopardize her chances of adoption. Challenging Norah with the demands of the murder investigation, the internal affairs probe and her hopes for a child, O'Donnell crafts a gripping, multilayered tale. Mystery Guild selection. (May)