Darker than Any Shadow: A Tai Randolph Mystery

The appealing Atlanta odd couple of redneck gun shop operator Tai Randolph and Trey Seaver, a cop turned Armani-clad corporate security expert, enter the world of high-stakes poetry slams in Whittle’s exuberant second mystery (after 2011’s The Dangerous Edge of Things). It starts innocuously enough when Tai’s best friend since forever, Rico Worthington, asks Trey to work the door during his club debut. But before you can say “Maya Angelou,” there’s smoke, fire, and one very dead rival poet. Worse, the detectives on the case regard Rico as the prime suspect. As Tai hustles to keep Rico out of jail, Trey—erratic since the devastating auto accident that forced him off the force—becomes both her biggest asset and a potentially explosive liability. A passel of colorful characters, more plot twists than the reticulated python who has a key cameo, and plenty of atmosphere make this one a winner. Author tour. (Mar.)