Found: A Matt Royal Mystery

At the start of Griffin’s complicated eighth mystery featuring retired lawyer Matt Royal (after Fatal Decree), Royal’s “sweetie,” Longboat Key, Fla., detective J.D. Duncan, receives a text message with a photo of her friend Katie Fredrickson, who disappeared after Katie’s husband, Jim, was murdered in Sarasota a year earlier. Forensic evidence at the scene suggested Katie was probably dead, but now there’s hope she’s alive. Duncan also investigates the fatal shooting of elderly Ken Goodlow, a WWII vet who was on his way to see Royal at the time of his murder. Duncan follows up the cold case involving Katie, while Royal tries to discover why Goodlow wanted his legal services. When the going gets tough, Royal turns to his best friend, Jock Algren, whose ruthlessly applied justice provides counterpoint to Royal’s relaxed Florida lifestyle and good-natured banter with Duncan. Despite the unwieldy plot, Griffin’s fans should be pleased. (Nov.)