M
organ’s newest (after Unspoken Fear
) focuses on the small town of Stephen Kill, Del., where Det. Delilah Swift is juggling the latest developments in her busy life: new responsibilities as a detective, a secret affair with her police chief and the troublesome niece she’s been stuck with for the summer. And then a serial killer strikes, kidnapping residents of the sleepy town, letting them die of dehydration and dumping them by a pond. As more victims turn up, Swift scrambles to find the killer—who also has an eye on her. Swift is a charming protagonist—strong, smart and honorable—and the populace of Stephen Kill is delightfully varied; Morgan excels at capturing the faces of smalltown life and skillfully weaves domestic concerns (teen pregnancy, etc.) among the taut threads of her murder mystery. Though a “dark secret” plot device feels familiar, a barrel of red herrings will keep readers guessing throughout, and the surprising conclusion won’t disappoint. (June)
