by Lorie Lewis Ham
Details at the end of this post on how to win a copy of Idyll Threats, along with a link to purchase the book.
In Idyll Threats, Thomas Lynch finds himself the new chief of police in the small town of Idyll, Connecticut when he leaves the NYPD after the death of his long time partner.
As if adjusting to small town life wasn’t hard enough, (he can’t quite wrap his brain around the fact his neighbors are discussing the state of his lawn) Thomas finds himself with information about a crime, but to share that information could cost him his job. A young girl is murdered and he may have been the last one to see her alive. But to share what he knows would out to his men that he is gay, which could go really wrong, especially given the intolerance of the 1990s, which is when this story is set. 
Thomas pretty much keeps to himself and doesn’t get close to his men, or really anyone in town, afraid not only of how they would react to his being gay, but also because of his guilt over his partner’s death. His partner was addicted to drugs and he didn’t do anything to help him.
The case before them is the shooting death of young Cecilia North, and there were no apparent witnesses or motives. Thomas tries to steer the investigation around so that the info he has can be discovered by one of his men, and along the way uncovers much more than he expected. However, as his orientation may become a factor in the case, he finds himself feeling like he may have to come forward with what he knows. But what he was doing in an abandoned cabin with a strange man when he ran into the victim, may cost him his career.
Not only is this a well written mystery, filled with surprising twists and turns, but Thomas is a great character. You feel for him and his struggles over how hard it was to be a gay cop in the ’90s. How the book ends is perfect in so many ways and I really hope that this is a series and we will see more of Idyll and its police chief. If you are looking for a great mystery and great characters, do not miss Idyll Threats!
To enter to win a copy of Idyll Threats, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “Idyll,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen November 14, 2015. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.
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Click on this link to purchase this book:
An unusual story line with interesting characters. Thanks for the chance to win and read it.
We have a winner!