In Harm's Way

In Pearson's subpar fourth crime thriller featuring Idaho lawman Walt Fleming (after Killer Summer), Sheriff Fleming is honored to receive a request for help from legendary Seattle homicide detective Lou Boldt (another Pearson series lead), who's after the killer of Caroline Vetta, a woman with a history of dating professional sports figures. Fleming assists his colleague by setting up interviews with two persons of interest in his jurisdiction, sports agent Vince Wynn and former football team owner Marty Boatwright. When another person connected with the victim, retired linebacker Martel Gale, is found bludgeoned to death, Fleming's inquiries lead him to some uncomfortable conclusions. The identity of Gale's killer may strike some as a cop-out, while Fleming's romance with subordinate Fiona Kenshaw never rises above formula ("If I could wrap up all the happiness in the world into a package, if I could give you that, I would"). With any luck, Pearson will get back on track in the next installment. Author tour. (Aug.)