Still Here

In Stuart’s gripping third Still psychological thriller (after 2018’s Still Water), mysterious PI Malcolm Boon, who recently rescued PI Clare O’Dey from her abusive husband, Jason, goes on the run after his true identity is exposed. The private detective is in fact Malcolm Hayes, the prime suspect in the possible murder of his wealthy wife, Zoe Westman, who disappeared more than a year earlier from their home in Lune Bay, a seaside community in either the U.S. or the author’s native Canada. In constant fear that Jason will find her, Clare goes to Lune Bay, where her search for Malcolm leads her to the unsolved case of several missing young women. Charlotte, Zoe’s emotionally damaged sister, and Kavita Spence, a witness to the murder of Zoe’s real estate tycoon father five years earlier, become Clare’s allies as Clare gets closer to uncovering some dark secrets of the Westman family. Readers will cheer Clare all the way to the satisfactory resolution. Those new to the series will want to go back and read the first two books. Agent: Chris Bucci, Cooke McDermid Agency (Canada). (Aug.)