DUNGENESS AND DRAGONS

Two seemingly unrelated, tragic events intersect in this fourth installment of a mystery series starring a police officer known affectionately as “the Tracker.”

On Jan. 7, 2019, a fierce storm rages off the small Oregon coastal village of Driftwood. Three crab fishermen, Derek Lea, Rick Perrins, and skipper Carl Hamisu, are aboard the Johnny B. Goode when the engine suddenly dies. Before the Coast Guard can reach them, the boat is hit broadside by a massive wave and capsizes. When news breaks the next day that all three men were lost at sea, the tightknit community is overcome by grief. Police officer Charley Whitehorse, who knew Carl, feels there is something vaguely troubling about the calamity. How could the captain, who was so meticulous about his boat and experienced in sailing the treacherous waters around the Dungeness sandbars, get caught by the storm? But moments after Charley enters Driftwood’s three-person police station, a new problem presents itself. Chiara, the delightfully quirky, young, and especially competent assistant who keeps middle-aged Charley and his partner, Tony Esperanza, up to date about social media and internet searches, fields a phone call from the distressed mother of 21-year-old Patricia Carmody. The parent, who lives in Rhode Island, has been unable to contact her daughter residing in Driftwood’s neighboring town of Neskowin. The calls keep going to voicemail, and she is certain something has happened to Patricia. She is right. Cook’s engrossing narrative maintains a steady pace, employing a successful mix of police procedural and violent action. There is a plethora of bad guys—from the head of the Russian mob in Portland, Oregon, to lower level local thugs and a notorious Russian assassin—who have Charley in their sights. But the author provides some relief from the darkness of drugs, human trafficking, sabotage, and death with light bantering and conviviality among Charley, Tony, and Chiara. And although she only has a supporting role, Patricia is a strong force to be reckoned with, a determined and resourceful character. A not totally satisfying conclusion suggests the possibility of a fifth volume.

A page-turning addition to a series and a chilling but enjoyable read.