TAHOE HIT

A long-ago crime lies at the heart of this latest novel featuring Lake Tahoe, California–based private eye Owen McKenna.

In this 18th book in Borg’s mystery series, the former San Francisco police detective gets pulled into a case with a Shakespearean quality. As a special courtesy to rich summer resident and hedge fund exec Carston Kraytower, local police sergeant Jack Santiago recruits Owen to take a look at the mysterious death of Kraytower’s close associate James Lightfoot at a party on the finance mogul’s estate. Owen and his dog, Spot, find little that’s suspicious other than the fact that Kraytower and Lightfoot had received several threatening emails. Sebastian Perry, another of Kraytower’s executives, also died, in an apparent biking accident, and it turns out that he and Lightfoot were poisoned with a potent veterinary tranquilizer. A teacher connects the quotes in the emails to the play Hamlet, which leads Owen to unearth a 22-year-old scandal. Then Joshua, Kraytower’s introverted, naturalist son, gets kidnapped in an effort to lure the wealthy man into a trap. Owen and his significant other, entomologistStreet Casey, along with police sergeant Diamond Martinez, find themselves in a race against time to save both Kraytowers. As always, Borg takes readers on an enjoyable trip to Lake Tahoe, bringing the western resort town to life by emphasizing its quirks and offering Owen’s wry observations on the locals and the summer folk. Owen, Street, local lawmen Santiago and Diamond, and especially Spot, the Great Dane with the large personality, remain likable companions, and Joshua and his only friend, the extroverted Sky Kool, are standout new characters. It’s obvious early on that Kraytower has secrets, but Borg effectively hides what they are until well into the volume. Owen puts the solution to the mystery together while playing things close to the vest, and there are additional surprises at the end when the villains are finally revealed.

A tense, engaging entry in a long-running regional mystery series.