by Archer Mayor
Part of Joe Gunther, book 10
First published 2013
A train has destroyed the head and hands of a body found on the tracks in Vermont. The victim wears homeless clothing and carries no identification, suggesting another tragic John Doe case. But detective Joe Gunther senses something wrong with this neat conclusion. The positioning seems too deliberate, the circumstances too convenient. As Gunther digs deeper, he uncovers a web connecting toxic waste schemes, a brutal stabbing, and corrupt state politics. His investigation takes him through machine shops, army surplus stores, lumber mills, and the halls of government. Gunther must navigate dirty politics and dangerous criminals in small town Vermont to reach the truth. The case forces him to examine how many layers of deception one crime can conceal.
Genres: mystery, crime, thriller, detective
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: deception, found-family
Setting: Vermont
443 pages · Kindle Edition · MarchMedia LLC