A Deadly Walk in Devon: A Walk Through England Mystery

This winning debut and series launch introduces grieving retired police investigator Rick “Chase” Chasen. Six years after the death of his romantic partner, Doug, Chase heads from San Diego to a small coastal town in Devon, England, for a reunion with his old friend, Billie Mondreau. Concerned about the continuing depths of Chase’s despair, Billie thinks a tour organized by the Wanderers hiking group might provide a necessary distraction. On the trip, disgruntled Wanderer Ronald Gretz—who’s aware of Chase’s police background—approaches him for help. Gretz is confident that someone in Devon is trying to kill him, an assertion potentially backed up by a spate of threatening emails and a few disturbing instances of verbal conflict Chase observes on the tour. When Gretz falls off a cliff to his death one foggy afternoon, Chase teams up with Billie and a local detective to investigate various Wanderers. Chase’s firm sense of justice and relatable romantic wounds make him a remarkably endearing protagonist. Readers will be eager to strap on their walking shoes for the investigator’s next case. Agent: Michelle Hauck, Storm Literary. (Apr.)