Snowjob: A Reid Bennett Mystery

Canadian police officer Reid Bennett's seventh outing (after Flashback ) takes him and his canine sidekick Sam to the U.S. to help out an old buddy. Doug Ford, the only black policeman in a ``snow-white'' Vermont resort town, has been charged with strangling Cindy Laver, bookkeeper at a ski resort called Cat's Cradle. The week before her death, Cindy and Doug were seen regularly enjoying drinks at a local hangout, meetings that Doug claims were in the line of duty: he had spotted the owner of Cat's Cradle dining with the town banker and the bookkeeper of a New Jersey crime family, and Cindy was assisting his unauthorized investigation into the resort's suspicious cash flow. Although local police are warily respectful of a brother officer off his own turf, Reid finds others less hospitable. Thugs jump him in a parking lot; after he fends them off with Sam's help, he is arrested for assault at the behest of his attackers' surprisingly high-priced lawyer. Wood makes good use of police procedure and interactions here, somewhat neglecting character in the process. Not exactly an attention-grabber, this competent work will suit those who prefer cooler, puzzle-oriented entertainment. (July)