Medical examiner Beverly Hillstrom did as much for Ben as he
would allow over the years. With the recent discovery by a burglar of Ben’s
decomposing body in his home, Beverly isn’t really sure what happened to her
first cousin. The Vermont State Police are handling the case. Having taken a
look at the autopsy there are things that have her curious. Unfortunately, she does
not have somebody like VBI agent Joe Gunther working for the state police. The
good thing is she does have an increasing connection with Joe and he is willing
to make a phone call. Another good thing is the fact that the lead investigator
for the Virginia State Police, Owen Baern, is very open to Joe taking a look. That
includes going out to the house and working their way into where Ben was found.
It does not take long before Joe and Owen realize this is
not a simple case of a hoarder being crushed to death by his own stuff. Somebody
else, besides the burglar who reported the body, was in the house at the time
of the death or shortly before. Hoarders are always rumored to have high value
treasures buried in their homes. Whether somebody else was going after rumors
of wealth and killed Ben several weeks ago or somebody was specifically searching
for materials connected to the exhibition of photographs Ben took during the
Vietnam War is open to debate. Not only is it important to figure that out to
bring Ben’s killer to justice, considering the fact that Beverly’s daughter,
Rachel, was involved in getting the photographs displayed as part of a well-publicized
art exhibit, she could be in danger if the photographs and other things she has
been working with are the target of the killer or killers.
With a series that began in Open Season the latest in
Joe Gunther series showcases the
continuing evolution of the characters themselves as well as in their relationship
to each other and society as a whole. This is a series that should definitely
be read in order. It is not a static series where folks don’t age and change.
Instead, it is one where those involved continue to change-- sometimes in large
ways -- as folks in the real world do as events and situations occur. That life
like aspect coupled with a solidly good mystery make Proof Positive: A Joe Gunther
Novel” as well as the many other books in the series excellent reads.
Proof
Positive: A Joe Gunther Novel
Archer Mayor
Minotaur
Books (St. Martin’s Publishing Group)
September 2014
ISBN#978-1-250-02639-2
Hardback
(also available in audio and e-book formats)
303 Pages
$25.99
Material supplied by the good folks of the Plano Texas
Public Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2014
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