Russell Andrews, Hades

Hades

Russell Andrews

Mysterious, Mar 13 2007, $24.95

ISBN: 0892960213

East End Harbor, Long Island Police Chief Justin Westwood is sharing a bed with married Abigail Harmon when he receives the call that his tryst mate's wealthy stock market investor was brutally murdered. Justin is stunned as he is the widow's alibi and when he thinks about how they first got together she was the pursuer.

Local District Attorney Larry Silverbush sees a great opportunity to use this case as a major stepping stone to Albany as he covets becoming the state governor. He does not believe that the suspended police chief killed the victim, but does not care as he uses the affair to further his ambition even while tearing apart Justin's reputation. Complicating matters for the besieged cop is back in his hometown of Providence, Rhode Island, another murder involving his family has occurred. Needing to be in two places at the same time to clear his name, Justin begins his own unofficial inquiry, only to find powerful international enemies wanting secrets to remain hidden.

The third Westwood police procedural (see MIDAS and APHRODITE) is a terrific investigative thriller that ultimately goes over the top though is fun while doing so. The storyline is at its best when the focus is on Long Island and Albany as a besieged Justin struggles with being the center of a homicide investigation made worse by ruthless political hacks uncaringly taking advantage of a tragedy. When the tale morphs to New England and beyond, the storyline remains fascinating but does slow down a bit by the complex magnitude of what the hero confronts beyond his personnel troubles. Still Westwood is in top form as he tries to solve two murders with hopes of getting back his job.