by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of the post on how to enter to win either an ebook or signed print copy of the book, and a link to order the book from Amazon.

It’s just another day on the job for Angela Richman for her to be traipsing through the Missouri Woods to examine human remains. As the Death Investigator for Chouteau County, Angela works for the medical examiner’s office gathering evidence for ongoing investigations. A hiker discovered a burial for what soon appears to be a murderer’s disposal site, and early clues have them identifying one of the bodies as that of a missing Forest High track star. Terri Gibbons went missing over eight months ago, but from what Angela can tell, she has only recently been in the ground. Further evidence quickly leads them to Briggs Bellerive, where the investigation comes to a dead halt despite his buried juvenile record that had him involved in another murder.

This is when the antiquated social structure of the elite society kicks into high gear, as Briggs is Chouteau Forest’s most eligible bachelor, not only the son of a senator and a judge, but the CEO of a mega pharmaceutical company. Previous and current administrations shut Angela’s investigation down, curtailing her questioning along with those of a determined Detective Jace Budewitz. Fortunately, Angela has her close circle of female friends to support her both on and off the job, although they are getting a little too pushy about her personal dating life. Still very much in love with her late husband, Angela has only tentatively begun to go out on dates with new Chouteau Forest police officer Chris Ferretti. Learning to let go of her past with her beloved Donegan is as much a challenge as maneuvering around the administration and community roadblock that protect their own, especially if they have family lineage and money.

Having recovered from the horrific six strokes that left her in a coma, Angela is professionally at the top of her game as she makes her observations and maneuvers through the stratified morays of Chouteau Forest. Angela herself grew up as an observer within the high society community, giving her insight and knowledge of their pretenses and facades. That many are willing to kill in order to preserve the illusions is not lost on her. Much of the entertainment of this fourth in the series comes from Angela’s other various investigations, from the lurid traffic death of a plastic surgeon to the victim whose daughter attempted to retrieve a ring through gruesome means. The dark humor of those whose business is death shines through, a tribute to the author’s research, the number of award-winning mysteries she’s written, and her own dry wit. Angela’s attempts at dating is both heart-warming and hilarious, balancing out the depiction of the cruelty that hides within the gated communities. The epilogue that ties up loose ends and delivers comeuppances for the guilty is reassuring and gives readers the satisfaction of hoping that eventually, everyone receives their just rewards.

To enter to win either an ebook or signed print copy of Death Grip, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “grip,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen April 17, 2021. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If you are entering via email please include you mailing address in case you win, it will be deleted after the contest. You can read our privacy statement here if you like. BE SURE TO STATE WHETHER YOU WANT PRINT OR EBOOK

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Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.