Dark Signal by Shannon Baker is the second book in the “Kate Fox” mystery series. Publisher: Forge Books, coming October 17, 2017
Reeling from her recent divorce, Kate Fox has just been sworn in as Grand County, Nebraska Sheriff when tragedy strikes. A railroad accident has left engineer Chad Mills dead, his conductor Bobby Jenkins in shock. Kate soon realizes that the accident was likely murder.
Who would want to kill Chad Mills? Kate finds that he made a few enemies as president of the railroad workers union. Meanwhile his widow is behaving oddly. And why was his neighbor Josh Stevens at the Mills house on the night of the accident?
While her loud and meddling family conspires to help Kate past her divorce, State Patrol Officer Trey closes in on Josh Stevens as the suspect. Kate doesn’t believe it. She may not have the experience, but she’s lived in the Sandhills her whole life, and knows the land and the people. Something doesn’t add up—and Kate must find the real killer before he can strike again.
The next stage in Kate’s life begins when she is sworn in as sheriff, but the “good old boys” won’t let her be. Her instincts tell her one thing, but the facts point elsewhere and it’s Kate’s dogged pursuit of the truth that lends itself to this gratifying tale of suspense and mayhem.
Who wants Chad dead? Is it a co-worker? His wife? Or someone with a grudge? That’s the mystery that surrounds this well-written drama that casts aspersions on those closest to the decease. The narrative was visually descriptive making me see beyond the written word as the on-going action takes over the story from the discovering of the body, to notifying the spouse, to a secondary plot that rears its ugly head and impacts the main plot, to questioning friends and associates and to the family dynamics that plays a strong role in Kate’s daily interactions. And that fast and frenetic scene towards the end kept me immersed in all that was happening as it kept my eyes on the prize in this terrific sequel.
Who killed Chad? That’s the story that you’ll find in this wonderfully executed tale that will leave you hungry for more adventures in Grand County and with Kate Fox.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) from the author/publisher.
OOhhh This one sounds Great
Great write-up, Dru. I flew through the pages of the first book in this series, so I’m really looking forward to reading Dark Signal.