by Archer Mayor
Part of Joe Gunther, book 32
First published 2021
Joe Gunther thought Nathan Lyon's death was straightforward. The wealthy philanthropist died peacefully in his converted mill mansion, surrounded by family. A year later, Gunther's Vermont Bureau of Investigation team uncovers a different story. Nathan Lyon was actually Nick Bianchi from Providence, Rhode Island. His fortune came from Mafia connections. His supposedly grieving family members are now turning up dead, and these deaths are murders. Gunther travels to Rhode Island to trace the money's origins while his team investigates the sprawling mill property. Private investigator Sally Kravitz partners with reporter Rachel Reiling to expose the expanding conspiracy. The web of deception grows wider as more bodies appear. Gunther realizes that Bianchi had betrayed many people during his criminal career, making him a target for revenge. Now Gunther must identify which of Bianchi's many enemies killed him and stop the killer before more people die. The investigation reveals how greed and betrayal can destroy families and communities.
Genres: mystery, crime, thriller, detective
Vibes: dark, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, investigation
Setting: Providence, Rhode Island, Vermont
Period: contemporary
304 pages · Hardcover · Minotaur Books
Content warnings: death, murder, violence