S.W. Hubbard Blood Knot

Blood Knot

S.W. Hubbard

Pocket, Aug 2005, $6.99

ISBN: 0743467590

Widower Frank Bennett retired from the Kansas City Police Department after twenty years there relocating to Trout Lake, New York where he is hired as local police chief though an outsider because the town can afford his salary. He has alienated some townsfolk due to his less than politically correct viewpoint on several subjects. He especially has problems with the changes to the North Country Academy by its new owner Dr. MacArthur Payne. Whereas much of the locals see the school as an opportunity for employment Frank envisions troubles caused by the wealthy student body consisting of troubled teens that he considers juvenile delinquents.

Jake Reiger, a teacher at the school is mauled to death by a bear while camping with students. Conservation Officer Rusty Magill insists to Frank that the victim knew his camping and has other doubts when bacon grease is found on the victim's sleeping bag; bacon grease is like catnip to bears. When other accidents follow, Frank reconsiders whether Jake was a homicide victim, but still has doubts until a student is killed.

The third Adirondack police procedural (see SWALLOW THE HOOK and TAKE THE BAIT); BLOOD KNOT is a terrific tale because Frank, using his experience as a cop, firmly believes a tragic accident caused by negligence occurred. Even when other incidents happen, he clings to a bad mishap as the evidence, in spite of Rusty's plea to the contrary, seems clear. Once the second homicide transpires, Frank, knowing he was wrong, goes all out to prevent another killing from taking place. This politically incorrect but dedicated hard working and intelligent law enforcement official works the difficult strange case.

Harriet Klausner