Where Light Comes and Goes

At the start of Miller’s static sequel to 2019’s The Color of Rock, family physician Abby Wilmore transfers from the Grand Canyon Clinic to become director of Yellowstone National Park’s summer clinic. Though the position will allow her to expand her skills, she dreads the move, anticipating her anxieties will ramp up without the support of her boyfriend and coworker, Dr. John Pepper. She spends her days treating park visitors, staff members, and local residents suffering from myriad minor and serious ailments while quickly bonding with her colorful and eccentric staff. But not all is well in Yellowstone. Tremors are frequent, gas bubbles erupt in the lakes, and the usually predictable geysers’ timings are off, including Old Faithful’s. Also, someone is killing bison, taking a different organ from each one and leaving corpses to rot. Little happens until the end, and even then the big action scene is predictable. Abby’s naivete and refusal to heed warnings about the park’s wildlife, as well as a sexist concession manager, will frustrate mystery readers. Those interested in a view of life in a scenic national park will be best pleased. (Oct.)