Wet, Warm and Noisy

A JAKE WARD NOVEL

by David A. Willson ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

In Willson’s thriller, an Alaskan investigator dives into a case that’s as diabolical as it is perplexing.

Jake Ward’s pancreatic cancer has forced him to undergo a major operation and rounds of chemotherapy. Now that he’s finished with chemo, he’s ready to get back to his job as a technical crimes investigator in Palmer, Alaska. As he’s still physically weak, he doesn’t qualify to carry his service pistol and his captain keeps him on light duty, so it’s no surprise when Jake gets assigned to administer a polygraph test. He interrogates Belle Anderson, a woman who allegedly tried to break into a warehouse. Though her behavior at the time of her arrest led authorities to assume she’s an addict, she claims during questioning that she’d been held as a hostage. Before Jake can complete the test, an armed man helps Belle escape police custody, injuring an officer in the process. As Major Crimes hunts for the shooter, Jake looks into Belle, learning that, years ago, she had cancer, too. However, further digging into Belle’s past only yields pieces to a puzzle he can’t quite put together. Readers, meanwhile, are privy to Belle’s narrative perspective, which is even more cryptic with references to an ongoing “project” and to what she calls her “detachments.” What she’s apparently involved in may have something to do with murder victims that have been turning up, all with scars in the same place. To get answers, Jake makes a risky move that puts him in the midst of a nefarious plan, one that is more complex and bizarre than he ever could have imagined.

The hero of Willson’s story displays an appealing affability; a complete professional, Jake hardly complains about his light duty or the fact that his girlfriend practically abandoned him, and he even gives a rookie officer sound advice. The investigation is thoroughly convincing—Jake’s light duty status affords him time to look into the case as he meticulously examines clues and explores the personal connection of his and Belle’s medical histories. The mystery of Belle and the shooter effectively builds as the story pushes on. A few set pieces stand out, including the polygraph test, which Jake explains in great detail to Belle (and readers); a tense standoff with cops and a suspect; and a nerve-racking scuffle between two individuals armed with guns. Some of what’s happening is intentionally left ambiguous, though everything leads to a suspenseful final act that’s wholly gratifying. The supporting cast is relatively bland, as the novel focuses primarily on Jake, Belle, and a baddie or two; a notable exception is Bud Foley, a tenacious and dry-humored trooper who works closely with Jake. While the hero isn’t prone to one-liners, the third-person narrative dishes out a few choice bits: “It was a bad idea, but it was the best bad idea he had.” 

A dark, riveting mystery.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: 9798878425353

Page Count: -

Publisher: N/A

Review Posted Online: Jan. 8, 2025

Review Program: Kirkus Indie

Categories:

THRILLER