Dragon Fruit

In Keskinen’s uneven third Jaymie Zarlin mystery (after 2014’s Black Current), the Santa Barbara, Calif., PI seeks a missing toddler. Chucha Robledo, an undocumented immigrant, pays drug smugglers to transport her daughter, Rosie, from Mexico, but when Chucha arrives at the beach where their boat landed, the girl is gone. Hostile police officers warn Jaymie away from the investigation, and a homeless man connects the drug smugglers to law enforcement. When officers beat Chucha nearly to death, the quest for Rosie takes on added urgency. Keskinen excels at conveying a sense of place, and she builds a strong cast of supporting characters, such as two priests and a Roller Derby competitor entangled with shady cops. Other characters are sketchily drawn, however, leaving their motives unclear and actions implausible. Plot connections are tenuous at times. Still, Keskinen movingly highlights the plight of Chucha, who has few allies, and series fans should appreciate insights into Jaymie’s background and relationship with deputy sheriff Mike Dawson. [em]Agent: Becca Stumpf, Prospect Agency. (Sept.) [/em]