Marilyn's Mystery Reads

We are back in Bitterfrost, Michigan, where it is (almost) always winter.  Criminal attorney Devyn Payne has returned to her hometown after living and working in the Detroit suburb of Hamtramck.  Even she’s not certain why she left a lucrative law practice to “switch sides” and become a member of Genevieve Harris’ prosecution team, but something has called her back to Bitterfrost.

Shortly after she arrives, a tragic accident/homicide takes place.  An SUV is submerged in the Jako River, appearing to have left the icy road and gone into the water.  In the car were Catriona Dulancy, her husband Sammy Hardt, and their eight-month old twin sons.  Catriona and Sammy survive, their sons do not.

The only witness to the SUV going into the water is Bill Hooper, who rushes into the river to help the man bring the woman to shore.  Hooper is a former Michigan state trooper, semi-forced from his job after losing an eye in an explosion.  Devastated by the loss of his job, the death of his young daughter, and the end of his marriage, he has been wandering around the state, ending up in Bitterfrost by accident.  His plan is to leave the town as soon as possible, but that’s not the way events unfold.

The Paynes and Dulancys have a long, unhappy history in Bitterfrost.  The Paynes are the “aristocracy” of the town, while the Dulancys are the criminals.  Devyn coaches the girls’ hockey team, having been a star player herself when she was younger, at the rink that bears her family’s name.  This year one of her outstanding players is Kelly Dulancy, Catriona’s niece.

Genevieve Harris is convinced that Catriona deliberately drove into the Jako in an attempt to kill Liam and Logan.  Devyn is not so sure, although Catriona’s family history makes that a believable option.  Then the prosecution brings a well-regarded behavioral psychologist to interview Catriona, a man who specializes in homicide-related investigations.

Genevieve and Devyn are watching the interview, the latter thinking that Dr. Jarman is conducting an inquisition more than an interview.  Devyn believes that the psychologist made up his mind from the moment he walked into the room that Catriona is guilty of deliberately killing the infants and that all his questions and comments are designed to get her to confess.  That finally happens, seven hours into the questioning, when Catriona cries, “My God.  What have I done?”  But Devyn isn’t convinced of her guilt.

River Deep is a complex mystery featuring numerous characters with histories going back generations that intertwine with the other characters.  In a small town such as Bitterfrost, memories are long and grudges even longer.

Bryan Gruley has written an outstanding second novel in the Bitterfrost series.  His characters are believable, both the good and bad ones, and the plot will carry readers to the very last page.

You can read more about the author at this website.

Check out the complete Marilyn’s Mystery Reads at her website.  In addition to book review posts, there are sections featuring Golden Oldies, Past Masters and Mistresses, and an About Marilyn column that features her opinions about everything to do with mystery novels.

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