Out of Nowhere

Family takes a central role in Dunlap’s solid seventh mystery featuring San Francisco stuntwoman and Zen student Darcy Lott (after 2015’s Switchback). Mike, the older brother Darcy adored who was mysteriously MIA for decades until she tracked him down, calls for assistance when he’s the target of a couple of vehicular assaults. Darcy, who faces work challenges after her last Hollywood gig, seeks answers in Mike’s apartment, which is occupied by three temporary tenants. A gas leak, a damaged car, and a concealed weapon add complications as Darcy works to untangle the mysteries of Mike and his past. A determined but flawed protagonist, Darcy has relatable and complicated interactions with her Zen teacher, the members of her extensive family, and others. Dunlap smoothly integrates aspects of both Darcy’s stuntwoman training and Zen studies into the action. [em]Agent: Dominick Abel, Dominick Abel Literary Agency. (Sept.) [/em]