Kinley Roby Now Comes Death

Now Comes Death

Kinley Roby

Five Star, Jul 2005, $25.95, 278 pp.

ISBN: 1594142874

On Hobson's Choice near Tequesta City, Florida, Helen Bradley and Harry Brock are conducting a bird census for the Audubon society when they come across a rotted corpse. Harry realizes that the dead man is Truly Brown, who was to shortly inherit a fortune. The police tell Harry, a private investigator, to stay out of their case as he intends to do without their warning.

Helen's friend Riga Kraftmeier, vice president at Three Rivers Bank & Trust Company, wants to purchase Hobson's Choice so she hires Harry to expedite her efforts to include if necessary solving the homicide. As Harry investigates, his pregnant wife Katherine warns him that she will leave him if he fails to change jobs. Harry wants to comfort her, but ignores her threat as this is his occupation, but soon wishes he heeded her admonition as he finds himself endangered by two families feuding.

The second Harry Brock investigative tale (see DEATH IN A HAMMOCK) is a fabulous who-done-it as the hero's personal life interferes with his concentration on the case. The storyline is action-packed, but also loaded with angst as Katherine lays out an ultimatum and Helen is more fun to be with so readers who do not want a large spoonful of the humanizing element will want to pass. For readers like this reviewer the personal aspects enhance a strong murder investigation that leaves the audience with a fine all around novel.

Harriet Klausner