KILL TO KEEP

The Carnival Roma comes to Collier, Washington, along with a heat wave and a murder.

Elizabeth “Bet” Rivers, who started out as a temporary replacement for her father, is now the full-time sheriff with a loyal staff. Former FBI agent Rob Collier, who inherited several businesses and most of the buildings in town, all of which have made him wealthy, is always available to pitch in, and the sparks between them seem to be leading to a romantic relationship. Rob goes with Bet to inspect the traveling carnival, which has been coming to town for many years, before it opens. While they’re talking to carny worker Gus Schroeder, a shot rings out. Bet calls for backup, but the body they find has no bullet holes; the only bullet they find went through the open door of a trailer owned by trick rider Rosalind Baylor. The victim has been dead a while, and everyone claims they don’t know him. There are plenty of clues scattered around; an autopsy shows the man was poisoned and the body moved. The dead man is finally identified as Leo Dragos, the brother of arrogant Barrat Dragos, owner of Carnival Roma, who obviously has something to hide. Sensing something off about Gus, Bet concentrates on him and the mystery woman he’s been seen with. Everyone is shocked to discover that the woman, his mother, is Jean Louise Baker, who’s on the FBI’s most wanted list for ecoterrorism and homicide, struggles with the complex mystery, whose roots in the past may involve her father, while she works through her feelings for Rob, who seems to be getting a lot of unexplained phone calls.

Everyone from an escaped lion to the sheriff’s loyal dog ends up playing a part here.