Dragon Day

In Brackmann’s rambunctious, well-plotted third and final Ellie McEnroe mystery (after 2013’s Hour of the Rat), the feisty Iraq war veteran, who suffers from PTSD and is addicted to Percocet (which she began using to treat a leg wound), becomes involved with a group of young adults living a decadent and extravagant lifestyle fueled by their parents’ riches. When a waitress who served at one of the group’s soirees is found murdered with Ellie’s business card on her body, Ellie becomes a possible suspect. Meanwhile, Shanghai billionaire Sidney Cao, a parent of three group members, asks Ellie to help uncover the culprit. In her search for answers, Ellie must deal with corrupt politicians and businessmen, political activists, the Beijing police, and the Domestic Service Department responsible for controlling dissidents. By inquiring into affairs that powerful Chinese believe are best left hidden, she exposes both herself and her family to great danger. Readers will be sorry to see the last of Ellie. Agent: Katherine Fausset, Curtis Brown. (Aug.)