Eleven Little Piggies: A Jake Hines Mystery

In Gunn’s solid ninth Jake Hines mystery (after 2010’s The Ten Mile Trials), Det. Jake Hines and his Rutherford, Minn., police team find themselves busier than ever, despite the approaching Thanksgiving holiday, after a murdered man turns out to be none other than Owen Kester, Minnesotan farming royalty. Jake must juggle his personal life with the family feud that appears to be brewing over at the Kesters’ farm. While the Kesters aren’t entirely forthcoming to the police, Jake tries to ingratiate himself and learn more about the farm dispute. In opposition to some of his brothers, Owen objected to selling the farm to sand miners, even though the lucrative sale would have earned the family millions. To make matters worse, Owen’s death marks the beginning of more violence. Gunn’s fast-paced, workmanlike plot will please fans of her earlier works, and Jake’s wry insights bring warmth to the frigid, if generic, Minnesota setting. Agent: Jane Chelius, Jane Chelius Literary Agency. (Apr.)