Run to Ground

At the start of forensics expert Lyle’s middling third mystery featuring Huntsville, Ala., criminal consultant Dub Walker (after 2011’s Hot Lights, Cold Steel), Tim and Martha Foster hatch a plot to assume new identities and disappear after killing Walter Whitiker, who abducted and murdered their seven-year-old son, Steven, and is now due for early release after serving time only for perjury and obstruction of justice. As Whitiker walks out of Stone Gate Prison, he’s hit by two rifle shots, one of them fatal. Huntsville homicide cop T-Tommy Tortelli takes charge of the investigation, for which his friend Dub becomes an official consultant. In addition to sifting through trace evidence left behind at the shooting site, they need to locate the Fosters. J.D. Whitiker, Walter’s brother, is also looking for the Fosters for more sinister reasons. Lyle’s sure handling of forensic issues helps make up for thin characters and too many unlikely occurrences. Agent: Kimberley Cameron, Kimberley Cameron and Associates. (Aug.)