Little Neighborhood Murder
The debut of Jason Lynx, a 40ish, Colorado-based antiques dealer and interior designer, offers readers both rewards and disappointments. After Jason's wife disappeared five years ago, her wrecked car was found in the mountains with their infant son, Jerry, in the back seat. Jerry suffered an irreversible brain injury and has been institutionalized. Since then Jason has devoted himself to his business, his mentor Jacob Buchnam, his dog Bela, and solving puzzles. In his neighbor's house to feed their dogs, he discovers a bomb inside the front door; the next morning their murdered bodies are found. Unable to fathom why anyone would kill the radio executive and his wife, who showed championship canines, Jason conducts his own inquiries assisted by policewoman Grace Willis. His sleuthing soon reveals a link between the neighbors and his missing wife. Marred by an abundance of happenstance, a farfetched plot and a lack of suspense, Orde's first novel nonetheless features in Jason a thoroughly engaging multidimensional character, whom readers will look forward to meeting again.Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.