Flash Flood
By Susan Slater 

     This is the first book in a proposed series about insurance investigator, Dan Mahoney. In a complex, and multi-faceted plot, Dan is sent to New Mexico to investigate insurance claims involving the deaths of several prize animals belonging to wealthy cattle baron, Billy Roland Eklund, owner of the Double Horseshoe Ranch.

     Mahoney's just in time to witness the Sheriff in a shooting chase with another car that is subsequently caught by the raging waters of a flash flood that sweeps the car away, resulting in the death of the young female driver and an ex-con who was a pilot for Billy Roland. Then, in a bizarre twist, the ex-con turns up very much alive as the husband of Dan's new romantic interest.

     Slater is a master at characterization, and it's difficult to tell just who the villain is until the very end. What starts out as a simple insurance fraud investigation is complicated by murder and drug smuggling, with voodoo and questionable federal agents to confuse the issues, and Dan certainly hadn't counted on falling in love.

     Dan Mahoney is a charismatic, likable character and Flash Flood is mystery fiction at its best. I am looking forward to reading his next adventure, and anything else by Susan Slater