Next of Kin: A DI Sarah Quinn Mystery

British author Carter’s solid fifth Sarah Quinn mystery (after 2014’s Child’s Play) finds the detective inspector battling egos, politics, and criminal activity both inside and out of the Birmingham CID offices. With her former boss out and Det. Chief Supt. Charles Starr running the show, Sarah must prove her worth against a platoon of hostile male colleagues. None is more open about his disdain than Det. Insp. George Brody, who uses the murder of 15-year-old Lisa Webb to make Sarah look bad. Though the case seems to be linked to a series of rapes in the area, none of the previous victims wound up dead. Members of the public excoriate the police for not catching the serial rapist; Lisa’s father even begins his own investigation targeting a local sex offender. Sarah’s secret relationship with partner Det. Constable Dave Harries gets complicated as the pressure mounts to find and apprehend a suspect. Plenty of intrigue and red herrings keep readers guessing. (Mar.)