Beneath the Bleak New Moon by Debra Purdy Kong
Disclaimer: I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway on the premise that I would review it.
Casey Holland is a security officer for a small transit company in Vancouver, British Columbia. She’s working the night shift during a new moon, and dealing with obnoxious twin sisters who flout the bus rules. Suddenly, she and the bus passengers witness a hit and run accident caused by illegal street racers. Casey tries to save the victim, but it’s too late.
As a result, Casey meets Danielle Carpenter, a rookie reporter with a burning grudge against Roadkill, the local gang of street racers. She believes one of them killed her brother, and is taking dangerous chances to track them down. She drags the unwilling Casey (who would much rather leave this to her police contacts) into the investigation.
More hit and runs happen, but these are no accidents–has Roadkill developed a taste for blood as well as their need for speed? And do the twins know too much about the gang for their own good?
This is the third Casey Holland mystery; references are made to her having gotten too personally involved in previous cases (one was her father’s death.) She’s apparently mostly learned her lesson on that score, so Danielle is brought in to be the reckless one. Casey coordinates with the police whenever possible, given her quasi-authority status.
There’s a subplot involving Casey’s ex-husband and her current boyfriend, and very glancing looks at her foster daughter who may be getting a love life of her own.
This story is a bit closer to noir than to cozy, the conclusion is more the product of elimination of suspects than it is of clever reasoning. Many of the characters come off as unlikable, but we are seeing them through Casey’s eyes and she’s kind of judgmental.
This book should be enjoyable for those who want some, but not too much, grit in their mystery stories. Also, those who wonder what happens to unlucky pedestrians in those Fast and Furious movies. Check it out at your library, or there’s a special ebook offer at touchwoodeditions.com .
