THE FULL SCOOP

Getting to the roots of her grandfather’s death completes a multivolume arc for a small-town news reporter.

In the month following Hal Flick’s death during his investigation of her grandfather’s apparent suicide long ago, Riley Ellison has made no progress in pinning down the person or persons unknown responsible for either of the deaths. So when disgraced and incarcerated former Tuttle Corner Sheriff Joe Tackett claims to have some info on the case, Riley’s desperate to get him some sort of deal in exchange for what he knows. After all, Flick is the only one who believed that Albert Ellison’s death was murder, and Riley’s pretty sure that someone offed Flick because he was too close to the truth. What if the information Tackett has explains both Flick's and Albert’s deaths? Even Will Holman, Riley’s cerebral partner in investigations and thus the more cautious of the pair, is in favor of striking a bargain with the ex-lawman. But things fall through when Riley’s ex, federal agent Jay Burman, quashes the deal. Instead of believing that Jay has at least the interests of justice at heart, maybe even her own interests, Riley resolves to work around his objections. After all, if Jay wanted to be involved with the investigation, he never should have left town (and her) for job opportunities in D.C. And Riley’s new quasi-boyfriend Ash Campbell is far more accommodating, though it’s not clear whether it’s because he cares or because he just isn’t paying attention. Perhaps the horoscope service Riley’s overly involved mother has subscribed her in will have the insight Riley doesn’t, though like the unveiling of the whodunit and whydunit of Flick’s and Albert’s deaths, it may just provide more fanfare without any underpinning.

A shift in tone produces something a little more murderous but a little less fun.