PERILS OF A PREGNANT SLEUTH

In McDevitt’s series installment, pregnant amateur sleuth Callahan Banks investigates a series of murders on her secluded southern isle.

Callahan, a biology professor, is six months pregnant by her boyfriend John Culpepper “Pepper” Dade III and still grieving her recently deceased mother. In addition, her life on remote Timicau Island off the East Coast is further disrupted by a series of unexplained murders. Although Callahan’s pregnancy prevents her from investigating the way she wants to, she receives unexpected help from precocious 9-year-old triplets named Tom, Dick, and Harry, who discovered the first dead body: a naked man wrapped in barbed wire and apparently drowned. A recent influx of new neighbors provides plenty of potential suspects, including her mother’s former nemesis, Ruby Dade Slocum; an aloof doctor with a mysterious past; and Ruby’s husband, Barney, a belligerent, bigoted preacher and portable toilet salesman. However, Callahan is also troubled with matters of the heart; inspired by her mother’s fierce independence but deeply in love, she dithers on whether to marry Pepper. This book is the second in a series, and though events from the previous book are mentioned, the story stands on its own. The beautiful descriptions of the fictional island are a highlight, reflecting Callahan’s passion for the locale’s flora and fauna: “There it was, a totally still pond, mahogany colored from organic matter and so clear that it reflected even the smallest movements of the big oak branches spreading overhead.” The setting’s unique character makes the story more engaging and provides excellent framing for both dramatic and lighter scenes. Callahan is a tough and likable protagonist, and the secondary characters are vividly drawn, adding sinister elements and comic relief, as needed. The mystery plot is occasionally overshadowed by Callahan’s love life but never suffers for it.

An indomitable protagonist, a quirky supporting cast, and plenty of Southern charm make this mystery a treat.