Her First Mistake

An Oregon detective is forced to revisit the murder of her husband in this sturdy series launch from Elliot (The Next Grave). Thirteen years ago, in Sacramento, Calif., assemblyman Derrick Bell and his wife, Noelle, were brutally attacked. Only Noelle survived, but she had no memory of the assault, and rumors circulated that she orchestrated the whole thing. After Derrick’s well-connected family ran Noelle out of town, she moved with her sisters and grandmother to Bend, Ore., and pursued a law enforcement career. In the years since, Noelle has become a respected Deschutes County sheriff’s detective under her maiden name and put the tragedy behind her. That is until the FBI reopens the case and sends agents to Bend to interview Noelle and her sisters. As the Agency peels back layers about Derrick’s past and uncovers shady dealings within her own family, Noelle is plagued by a series of nightmares. Everything comes to a head when someone tries to kill her in the middle of the investigation. Elliot treads familiar ground—an Oregon setting, characters in law enforcement, Noelle’s budding romance with FBI agent Max Rhoades—but keeps the suspense taut. This will satisfy the author’s fans. Agent: Meg Ruley, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (June)