City of Whispers by Marcia Muller is the 29th book in the “Sharon McCone” mystery series. Publisher: Grand Central Publishing, October 2011

Private eye Sharon McCone receives an e-mail asking for help from her emotionally disturbed half brother Darcy Blackhawk. She replies . . . but gets no response. As Sharon digs deeper, she discovers that Darcy sent his message from an Internet café in San Francisco, a city he’s never been to before. Sensing that her brother is in terrible danger, Sharon begins a search for him throughout the city.

The investigation leads her to the body of a woman at the Palace of Fine Arts, where a witness had told her that Darcy was headed. Then, as she digs deeper, Sharon uncovers a connection to the unsolved murder of a young heiress to a multimillion-dollar banking fortune. Now Sharon must race to solve both murders and ensure her brother’s safety, despite the imminent danger that lurks within her own family.

Family dynamics are alive in the latest saga with Sharon. A cryptic message from her brother sends Sharon and one of her investigative team on a search through San Francisco and beyond uncovering a death that has implications that reaches others who want it to remain hidden. The deeper she digs the need to find her wayward brother becomes more focused. This book immediately grabbed my attention as I could not put it down. This was a good read with suspense that rocketed up as the story moved from the first chapter to the closing moments. I look forward to the next book in this thrilling series.