It just seemed like another routine day at the Grant County police station.  Medical examiner, Sara Linton, stops by to pay a visit to her former husband, police chief Jeffrey Tolliver.  Many children were present at the police station on this day for a class trip. 

Frank Wallace, Jeffrey's second in command, knocked on the door.  He was apologetic for interrupting the meeting between Jeffrey and Sara but did so because the phone was off the hook.  Frank told Jeffrey that Marla, the police station secretary, told me to tell you there's some kid in the lobby asking for you.

When Sara and Jeffrey arrived in the lobby, there were two men there.  One was leaning against the wall and the other standing in front of Marla.  Sara figured the one standing was Jeffrey's visitor.  There was something about his appearance that made Sara nervous.  The front door opened and Matt Hogan walked in.  The man that made Sara nervous pulled out a sawed off shotgun, pointed it at Matt's face and pulled the trigger.  The police station now turned into mayhem.  The children there for a class trip started to scream.  Another cop was shot on the other side of the room.  Jeffrey also got shot.

Frank Wallace, Jeffrey's second in command, now has the responsibility of trying solve this crime before Jeffrey dies. 

Does this crime have something to do with Jeffrey and Sara's past?  Several years ago, Jeff and Sara were on their way to the beach and took a detour to his hometown.  Something went terribly wrong when Jeffrey's best friend Robert kills an intruder who breaks into his house.  The evidence pointed away from Robert's story and the real problem is that Jeffrey appeared to change the crime scene. 

Is Sara and Jeffrey now a target?

Karin Slaughter has written a real thriller.  She does an excellent job of blending the past with the present.  The suspense starts at the very beginning and will keep you interested throughout the book.  The characters are interesting and complex.  This is a book mystery fans will enjoy.  You should add it to your reading list.  We look forward to more novels by Karin Slaughter.

REVIEWED BY NANCY EATON

DO NOT REPRINT WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE REVIEWER, NANCY EATON