Deep Dive

Why did Elton Darby, a high-level employee of Worldwide Loventeers, an international philanthropic organization, fall out of a second-story guest bedroom to his death? That’s the mystery Sam Acquillo must crack in Knopf’s clever ninth whodunit starring the Hamptons carpenter and occasional PI (after 2017’s Tango Down). Sam’s brought into the case when he gets a call from his billionaire friend, Burton Lewis, who was also staying at the home of Joshua Edelstein, a supporter of the Loventeers. Burton, who claims to have been taking a walk when he heard the fatal thud, is worried he’ll be the prime suspect; his watch was in the dead man’s fingers, and there are scratch marks on Burton’s arm. Burton asserts that Elton made a pass at him, resulting in the scratches and the watch ending up with Elton. The Southampton police detective on the case warns Sam that Burton—and everyone else in the Edelstein home that night—are lying. Suspicions that Elton was intentionally pushed grow after a second death, which is clearly murder. Witty byplay between Sam and his significant other helps keep the action moving. Robert B. Parker fans will find a lot to like. (July)