Monday, June 28, 2021

The Burning by Jonathan and Jesse Kellerman

Clay Edison is Deputy Coroner for Alameda County California and feels blessed to love his job and his young family.  It’s wildfire season in California and the electricity is out indefinitely in their home so Clay’s wife takes their daughter a goes to visit relatives in L.A.  Edison is called to investigate a murder of a wealthy retired man and is stunned to find his brother’s beloved muscle car in the murdered man’s garage with other collectable cars.  Clay’s brother, Luke has recently been released from prison and is nowhere to be found.  Clay does not reveal his discovery to the police as he frantically tries to contact Luke.  Neither Luke’s wife nor employer have seen him in two days and Clay must assume Luke is associated with the murder, likely with prison pals.  But as Clay gains more information he discovers that Luke may be in trouble because of previous actions Clay took in his job.  Luke could be an innocent victim.  Not knowing who he can trust, Clay sets out to find Luke on his own… a dangerous decision.

 

I’ve always enjoyed Jonathan Kellerman’s Alex Delaware novels but must admit the formula is repetitive.  With son, Jesse’s help this new younger protagonist brings a more energetic buzz to the story. But that driving pace of methodically revealing new information that leads to a surprising conclusion remains… a skill that Jonathan K. has mastered in spades.  Fun read.

 

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy.

 

 

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