Scorched Line

It can be nearly impossible and certainly annoying to jump into a well-established series, a category that fits this title exactly, however, Baker is skilled at telling her story with sufficient detail to bring a new reader into the picture without bogging down the rest of the novel. Kate is faced with multiple family issues. She’s one of nine siblings and there are always issues, but these seem more intense than most. Their mother, someone with a nefarious past, disappeared three years ago, and strange clues seem to indicate her return. The FBI agent with a personal stake in capturing the fugitive is back in town; items of Kate’s clothes disappear from her house; and feathers, the mother’s signature, show up in odd places. Some of Kate’s siblings are willing to do anything to help their mother, others want her to turn herself in to the authorities. The landscape and cultural quirks of the Nebraska sand hills play an important part in the story, as do the family’s strong personalities, all of which contribute to the tumultuous ending. A really solid read.—Danise Hoover