The Next Grave

The enjoyable if overlong latest entry in Elliot’s Columbia River series (after At the River) finds Oregon detective Evan Bolton investigating the murder of his former mentor. After Evan discovers retired police officer Rod McLeod dead in a central Oregon junkyard, he sends his colleagues to the home of Sophia, Rod’s daughter. When they arrive, Sophia and her young son are nowhere to be found, and the home’s interior is spattered with blood; a subsequent sweep of Rod’s house reveals he’s been robbed of a computer and several physical files. Determined to find Sophia and catch Rod’s killer, Evan enlists the help of his girlfriend, Rowan Wolff, and her search dog, but their efforts turn up one dead end after another. Then Evan’s fingerprints are inexplicably found at Rod’s home, causing him to wonder whether the killer might be on the police force. Elliot nicely brings Evan and Rowan—supporting characters from her Mercy Kilpatrick series—into the foreground, fleshing out their relationship in the process. Though the novel spins its wheels a bit in the third act, it lands on a satisfying resolution. Elliot’s fans have fun. Agent: Meg Ruley, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (Dec.)