State Police Detective Jerome, "Stan" Stankowski is assigned to work with Parker Noble,
an investigator from the state Attorney General's office to solve the murder of a young
nun in the small community of Forbes Island. Sister Anna Marie Winborn was to take her
final vows soon and was visiting her family one last time before taking that final step.
Anna Marie's father, Charles, was the owner of the local newspaper and a ruthless critic
of anyone in the community who did not share his political views or his moral standards.
The man had destroyed lives and collected many enemies along the way. General speculation
is that the car bomb that had killed his daughter was probably meant for him.
Because of Charles Winborn's prominent standing in the community and his close association
with local politicians and police officials, the Attorney General felt that the murder
investigation could be best served if conducted by less "involved" parties. Matters are
further complicated when Charles Winborn suffers a massive heart attack brought on by the
death of his daughter. That leaves only Michael Winborn, Anna Marie's brother to help
the police put together facts and happenings of the days leading up to the murder.
Looking everywhere for clues, Stan and Parker eventually encounter Buffy Coyle, one
of Anna Marie's old school chums. Buffy is determined to be a part of the investigation
and help solve the killing of one of her best friends. Buffy also seems to be somewhat
smitten with Detective Stankowski.
Suspects are everywhere. Charles Winborn was a hated man and there are several area
residents with plausible motives and means. The car bomb was made with simple materials
and quite unsophisticated and so could easily have been fabricated by any of the suspects.
Although there are many possible perpetrators, none stands out as the most likely, so all
must be thoroughly investigated. And the question always remains, "Who was the intended victim?"
"Stan" Stankowski is a competent, methodical detective following standard police practices
and making sure that each clue is wrung dry of all information and then prioritized and
catalogued. His grid is taking shape. Parker Noble, on the other hand, is a quirky, cantankerous
sort who seems preoccupied with the well-being of the Bassett hound that he left at home
and his newfound interest in hazelnut-flavored coffee. As a representative of the Attorney
General, Parker is the senior investigator. Detective Stankowski is sometimes frustrated,
but normally amused in dealing with the eccentric lawyer.
Buffy Coyle is the self-appointed "gumshoe" in the investigation and, in spite of her impulsiveness
and disdain for protocol, she proves to be a valuable member of the team as well as providing
occasional comic relief. The team is perfect. It has just the right balance of logic,
whimsy, and individuality. The characters provide the perfect blend.
Readers who pride themselves in solving the crime by chapter five will have a real challenge
on their hands with this one. There are clues throughout the story, but they're so subtle
that the only one who sees them is a crotchety old attorney with a cynical eye for almost
everything. There are many suspects to choose from and each carries substantive arguments
for their guilt. It's a puzzler, to be sure.
I had the rare opportunity to read the entire manuscript for this book a couple of years
ago before the publisher picked it up. It was a very good story then, but Mike Manno has
had time to rework the story and he has done a tremendous job of fleshing things out and
has turned it into a top notch mystery. Don't miss this one.