The Code

The money–and–ego-fueled world of junior hockey turns out to be a natural setting for murder in this debut novel from Canadian sports journalist Joyce (The Devil and Bobby Hull). Pro scout Brad Shade doesn’t set out to solve the killings of Red Hanratty and Doc McGarry, respectively the coach and doctor for the Peterborough, Ontario, team. His only interest lies in checking the background of potential star Billy Mays Jr. before players are chosen in the league’s draft. After discovering inconsistencies in Billy’s official medical info, however, Brad finds himself drawn into the case, using his combined experience as a journeyman hockey pro and a PI to figure out if the competition has become literally murderous. Joyce’s skill in creating Brad’s confident voice exceeds his ability with drama and narrative, but his knowledgeable, engagingly cynical perspective on hockey should prove compelling even for those readers with no interest in the sport. Agent: Rick Broadhead, Rick Broadhead & Associates. (Oct.)