Unfinished Business: An Ali Reynolds Mystery

At the start of bestseller Jance’s plodding 16th Ali Reynolds mystery (after 2020’s Credible Threat), Ali, the CFO of High Noon Enterprises, an Arizona cybersecurity company she owns with her husband, serves an eviction notice on Harvey McCloskey, a deadbeat tenant who rents office space from High Noon. Harvey vows to get revenge. Meanwhile, Mateo Vega, who’s been paroled after serving 16 years in prison for a murder he claims he didn’t commit, has trouble finding a job in his field of expertise, computer technology, until High Noon hires him. At one point, Ali makes a call to someone who can help Mateo clear his name. When High Noon employee Cami Lee is kidnapped, Ali turns to Frigg, an AI entity that handles everything from background checks to strategic planning. Frigg applies its cyber-magic to tracking down Cami’s kidnapper. Since Ali does so much delegating, she has lots to time to focus on her aging parents and their problems. Well-defined characters make up only in part for the shortage of detective work. This is for established fans only. Agent: Alice Volpe, Northwest Literary. (June)