What You Don’t See

In Clark’s strong third Chicago mystery (after 2019’s Borrowed Time), cop Ben Mickerson enlists the aid of PI Cass Raines, his former police partner, in discovering who’s been sending threatening letters and creepy bouquets to media mogul Vonda Allen, for whom Ben, who’s currently on leave, has been serving as bodyguard. Allen proves imperious, unlikable, and deeply secretive about possible sources of the threats. Meanwhile, two employees of her magazine get shot, but Allen, focused on the debut of her network TV show, barely breaks stride, as she heads off to a book party, where a deranged fan stabs Ben. Instead of chasing the culprit, Cass opts to stay with her wounded former partner. As Ben clings to life in a hospital bed, Cass shifts into overdrive and digs into Allen’s checkered past. Clark does a fine job of controlling the pace and maintaining suspense up to the explosive, startling conclusion. Fans of tough capable female PIs will want to see more of Cass. Agent: Evan Marshall, Evan Marshall Agency. (June)