RESURRECTION ROAD by Kathryn R Wall
RESURRECTION ROAD is another "Bay Tanner mystery" by Kathryn R Wall. For readers of Ms Wall's other books this means something. But for those just now discovering Ms Wall and her talent, it is a meaningless description.
This latest book by Kathryn R Wall is a thoroughly enjoyable read but its plot does hearken back in many cases to books and stories that have gone before it. To get the full impact of this latest story it might be best to read all of the books by Ms. Wall that preceded it.
In this new adventure Bay Tanner is back in her beloved Hilton Head, South Carolina. She is living there with her lover Alain Darnay, a member of the famed Interpol police. On a hot summer afternoon they are confronted by a young man named Cart Anderson. He accuses Bay of killing his father.
Darnay and Bay try to talk with the young man and cool him down but he leaves still spouting his hostility. Bay and Darnay drive around a while and then head home. Later they learn Cart is missing and they are suspected in possible foul play.
Later in the story the murder of an ancient black woman occurs and Bay and Darnay are also suspected in this event. It seems everything about Bay is suspect, which is a change from the respected life she has always lived. Her father, who is a judge, goes to bat for Bay but it seems evidence is piling up all around her to implicate her in these tragic occurrences.
The fascinating thing about Bay is she is no super woman. In fact she is ordinary in most aspects of that word. She trusts the wrong men, she gets herself into one predicament after another, and she always needs the help of her friends to get her out of trouble.
However she is also cool headed in the worst of times, loyal to friends and family to a fault, and willing to risk her own life rather than put anyone else in jeopardy. For those reasons she is someone worth reading about in many, many books.
The only flaw I find with RESURRECTION ROAD is that it does depend on information provided in an earlier story to give full understanding to this plot. Otherwise the book is engrossing, entertaining, and satisfying. You can't ask for more than that.
Bay Tanner is a fascinating heroine. Now excuse me while I go back and read her earlier exploits. RESURRECTION ROAD has made me want to know her better - and that is a sure sign of a successful series.
RESURRECTION ROAD is published by St Martin's Press. It contains 294 pages and sells for $23.95.