Young Blood

Retired Cincinnati police officer Maggie Wise, the protagonist of this intriguing series launch from Fields (the Josie Gray mysteries), has relocated to Santa Cruz, Fla., after the death of her husband of 20 years. Maggie, who augments her pension by hosting a radio call-in show, drinks too much and trusts too little. When two prepubescent girls are abducted in two neighboring communities, the police ask Maggie to interview Kelly and Andre O’Neal, the parents of one of the victims. After little more than a day, the girls are found drugged but otherwise unharmed in secluded spots near their homes. Meanwhile, Oscar LeBlanc, “a hematologist specializing in age-related diseases,” is found dead in his office, an apparent suicide. When evidence suggests foul play, suspicion falls on Andre, who believed LeBlanc was behind his daughter’s abduction. Maggie has to prove Andre’s innocence, despite Andre subsequently confessing to the murder. Fields delivers loads of entertaining twists, authentic characters, and shifting motives. Readers will be glad to see more of complex, savvy Maggie. (July)