In this thrilling chapter in Faye Kellerman’s bestselling series, Rina Lazarus makes a shocking discovery in the woods of her upstate New York community that leads her husband, police detective Peter Decker, through a series of gruesome, decades old, unsolved murders, pointing to a diabolical, serial killer who’s been hiding in plain sight.On a bright and crisp September morning, while walking a … September morning, while walking a bucolic woodland trail, Rina Decker stumbles upon human remains once buried deep beneath the forest grounds. Immediately, she calls her husband, Peter, a former detective lieutenant with LAPD, now working for the local Greenbury Police. Within hours, a vista of beauty and tranquility is transformed into a frenetic crime scene. The body has been interred for years and there is scant physical evidence at the gravesite: a youthful skeleton, a skull wound and long dark strands of hair surrounding the bony frame. As Decker and his partner, Tyler McAdams, further investigate, they realize that they’re most likely dealing with a missing student from the nearby Five Colleges of Upstate—a well-known and well-respected consortium of higher learning where Rina works.
And when more human remains are found in the same area, Decker and McAdams know this isn’t just a one-off murder case. Short-staffed and with no convenient entry into the colleges, Decker enlists Rina’s help to act as the eyes and ears of campus gossip. Winding their way through a dangerous labyrinth of steely suspects and untouchable academics, Decker, McAdams, and Rina race to protect their community from a psychopathic killer still in the area—and on the hunt for a fresh victim.
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I LOVE Faye kellerman, she is one of my favorites of all time. When I started reading her many years ago I loved learning about the rituals of the orthodox Jewish religion that is woven seamlessly into great mysteries. Over the years you get to know Her family while enjoying great mysteries. Love each and every one of her books.
Peter and Rina Decker have moved east since he retired from LAPD. He is working as a detective for the Greensburg, NY police, an upstate town near five colleges.
While Rina is out walking on a local trail, she steps on a set of bones. Decker starts investigating, along with his partner, the kid, trying to identify the remains. The bones are identified as a cross-dresser who attended school there several years earlier.
Decker interviews professors, family, friends, and finds several different people that don’t feel just right. Two more bodies are unearthed in the same area.
A really strange cast of characters are turned up in the murder investigation. Some of them make your skin crawl. Rina is stalked by one of the suspects.
This isn’t one of Ms. Kellerman’s best books. Decker and Rina seem to have mellowed since moving east. This is a stand alone book. With no knowledge of the history of the characters from before, you would still enjoy the story. And, as always, there is the Jewish story line in the background. A good read and worth the effort.
A typical Decker/Lazarus mystery with lots of suspects and people to interview. It is a bit slow in the middle. I find the New York location and their relationship with the rich young cop/law student a bit of a stretch. I miss Marge and the other co-workers from LA. One of the good parts of this book was that several of them made appearances in this novel. All in all this was a good mystery,
I love Faye Kellerman and her books but this one missed the mark. It needed a better editing job. The premise of bodies found buried in the woods near several colleges was drawing me in…..but the transgender character thrown in only brought confusion. The plot dragged quite a bit at the beginning as the one and outs of sexual identity was discussed. The thing is, it didn’t add much to the plot and the idea that it was the reason for murder is unfortunate.
It picked up halfway through the book as Peter tried to connect the crimes. And the scenes were scary as his wife Rina became a target. But the ending was confusing and not explained very well. Sure people commit crimes for little reasons but this was a bit absurd.
Read it if you want, borrow it from the library or a friend but I bought it and wished I hadn’t…disappointing after loving her other books.
I always enjoy Faye Kellerman books.
Always kept me going. Non stop intrigue!
Faye Kellerman at her best. Great read.
Great book!
Great suspense novel. Full of action and wonderful characters.
BioLeptin @ Bioleptin
Always like her books.
New location from Los Angeles. Nice! Loved the colleges involved.
I really enjoyed this book I think I read this a long time ago but I really couldn’t remember how it went so it was really good
I liked it
Not only do I enjoy this mystery series, I feel like I learn things.
Hard to believe.
What has this author written that wasn’t just darn good! Really enjoyed it.
This is a typical Faye Kellerman book. I did enjoy the plot and it kept me interested to the very last page.
This book has my favorite characters as I have followed previous books in the series. I liked that Rina, a strong Female character was featured in the book.
There is nothing Faye Kellerman has written that I haven’t enjoyed.