Closer Still

Jo Bannister

St. Martin's, Aug 2008, $24.95

ISBN: 0312383673

Owner of the Dimmock based private detective agency "Looking for Something?", Brodie Farrell is looking for a respite as her six month old son Jonathan has spent a lot of his young life with doctors having been born with rare condition retinoblastoma.  His doctors have no idea how much the infant can see; if he has any sight at all.  Math teacher Daniel Hood helps at the shop, but would like to help more in her personal life because he loves Brodie.

Jonathan's father Dimmock Police Detective Superintendent Jack Deacon is investigating the activities of nasty hoodlum Joe Loomis, who threatens to harm his son and his son's mother.  When Loomis is shot to death, the brass removes Deacon from the search for the hood's killer as the DS had a motive and opportunity.  However, the investigation turns frightening when it leads to a terrorist plot aimed at Dimmock.

This meritorious mystery series reaches new heights of excellence with this great thriller.  Besides the Jonathan health issue and the two men in the heroine's life competing for her affection, the story line focuses on the townsfolk as reactions to a potential terrorist plot varies with the cops hoping to contain the panic while distrust grows until vigilante violence occurs even before the absolute confirmation of Dimmock being the target.  The strong support cast makes this Brodie Farrell tale a flawless winner.

Harriet Klausner