Sharon Wildwood, First Murder in Advent

First Murder in Advent

Sharon Wildwood

Five Star, November 2006, $25.95

ISBN: 159414527X

In 1972 Fort Bragg, Captain Elizabeth receives a call from her friend, former Special Forces Sergeant Benny Kirkpatrick, that their mutual pal Military Police Captain Avivah Rosen and he were involved in a gun fight in Central Park when she went after a thief. He also says they are going away to hide at the Convent of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Crossmore, North Carolina on the other side of the state from Fayetteville, Bragg's home station locale. Elizabeth agrees to meet up with her best friends.

At the Convent just before Advent, Elizabeth sees a strange combination of people welcoming her besides her two friends, including the mysterious Major Darby Baxter with his zillion AKA's, who she assumes is an undercover agent of sorts, but not sure for which agency. However, a friendly reunion turns ugly when someone using a garrote murders another guest, Gary Dormouth who had accompanied Avivah when she came down from New York. The three soldiers begin to investigate the homicide, as they hope to uncover the killer before he or she plays Agatha Christie's ten Little Indians with them.

The latest Vietnam era mystery is a superb tale that showcases how difficult returning to the States was on the soldiers, and how little official recognition was accorded females who served in the war zone. The who-dun-it is cleverly set up so that there is a myriad of suspects, so that historical mystery readers will appreciate the storyline. However, as with SOME WELCOME HOME, it is the cast, especially the two female officers who seem real, as they adapt to returning to an unwelcoming world.