Police Procedural

Though iving in a small town in pretty much nowhere, MN, sheriff Red Hammergren is faced with murders that would tax the workings of big-city law enforcement. In addition, she has yet to file for her reelection, and is faced with tauntings from the toxically masculine locals, one of whom is actively seeking her job. An amateur-theater production of The Music Man is at the center of the story. The town’s leading citizen has paid a professional to play the lead, with locals filling in the rest. When the director/English teacher is found murdered, it has echoes of the killing of her older sister years before. Is there a serial killer? A cultish group hearkens back to an old, unsolved crime from Seattle and brings a measles outbreak that taxes all. There are further deaths, sexual impropriety connected to the high-school principal, and more trouble than should fit in such a small place. With strong, interesting women characters carrying the day, this is an exciting read with suspects galore and a thrilling, convoluted ending. A fine addition to a strong series.—Danise Hoover

Eve Ronin’s week goes from bad to worse in Goldberg’s latest. A new sheriff has blackmail material on the LA detective, forcing her to embrace the social-media spotlight that comes with being the only cop with her own fictional TV show. The actress behind that show, Erin Casey, has ridden the role of Ronin to a career revival, and she’s arranged to shadow her real-life counterpart for a dose of authenticity. The moment Casey climbs into the car, everything unravels: a famous actress turns up dead from an apparent overdose, a previously unknown half-sister surfaces with mob connections and a body in tow, and Ronin finds herself quietly working to save her partner’s job while dodging threats from criminals and colleagues alike. Goldberg has a gift for blending humor with gritty violence and suspense, and his characters feel real enough that readers can’t help rooting for them. Genre fans will also appreciate the nods to Goldberg’s other projects and winks to fellow authors scattered throughout. The ending leaves Ronin’s world thoroughly upended, and the wait for the next installment will not be an easy one.—Jeff Ayers

Deputy Mattie Walker and her K-9 partner, Robo, start the day with a grim discovery: a young mother murdered, her two-year-old daughter found alive in another room. The question lingers as to whether the child witnessed the attack. Not long after, Mattie pulls over a speeder, and Robo alerts to the presence of drugs in the vehicle. After the driver is arrested, a boy left behind refuses to speak, raising Mattie’s suspicions that he may be entangled in something far more dangerous, possibly even human trafficking. Meanwhile, Mattie’s husband, veterinarian Cole, stumbles upon a questionable dog kennel that may connect to her cases, deepening the mystery. As the investigation unfolds, the couple, still healing from past trauma, find their personal lives increasingly strained by the dangers surrounding them. Mizushima delivers another strong installment, skillfully balancing suspense with heartfelt character development. The small-town cast continues to deepen, with each character given moments to stand out. The unusual perspective of police work alongside a K-9 partner adds an extra layer of authenticity and intrigue. This series only gets better with each book, making it a must-read for fans of crime fiction and police procedurals. New readers can jump in easily but will likely want to track down the earlier entries once they finish.—Jeff Ayers