LOVER’S CROSSING: A ROSCOE BRINKER MYSTERY
JAMES C. MITCHELL
ISBN# 0-373-26566-2
June 2006
Worldwide Mystery
225 Duncan Mill Rd. Don Mills, Ontario M3B 3K9
Paperback
$5.99 U.S. / $6.99 Can.
268 Pages
Mystery
Rating: 3 Cups

Roscoe Brinker and his best friend Al Avila caught many a illegal immigrants as INS Border Patrol along the Arizona/Mexican border. While patrolling with Sanchez, an officer suspected of crooked dealings, Brinker is shot by drug smugglers. After this happens, he retires and becomes a private investigator. One of his first clients is the famous Mo Crain. Mo Crain wants his wife’s murder solved at all costs. Investigating a murder affects not only the victims, but also all those who become involved. His friends, their families and his girlfriend could be affected.

Delores, Brinker’s girlfriend, is a T.V. news reporter who wants to make it in the big leagues. She nursed Brinker after his shooting and supported his idea to become a PI. However, when he contemplates taking on a murder investigation, his decision hinges on her following her dreams.

After starting his investigation, Brinker is warned the crooked officer Sanchez is being investigated by a grand jury concerning his shooting and other possible dirty dealings. He continues to investigate Mo Crain and his wife, but is unable to come up with a feasible motive for his wife’s shooting until he spies Katharine Richard of the Westfriends Business Association hugging and kissing him. Could this be the motive? Then he gets a tip that Delores might be the target of an attempted kidnapping, which begs the question could Sanchez be behind this?

Mr. James C. Mitchell has written a complex mystery full of twisting motivations and secret dealings. The shifting characters with their individual mini dramas make this book intriguing. Their personal lives are complex and understandable. The conclusion is a surprise. It is a great read for those into mysteries.

Kathy
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books