William G. Tapply, Gray Ghost

Gray Ghost

William G. Tapply

St. Martin's, Mar 2007, $23.95

ISBN 0312363036

Years ago, lightning hit Stoney Calhoun, wiping out his memory like an etch-a-sketch. After a hospital stay and a strange "payment" check, he moved on with no hope of regaining all he lost though slivers seem to surface especially at needed moments. He thinks he may have been involved in some form of law enforcement as he occasionally shows such skills and then there's the gray suit that speaks of government periodically coming to Maine. In Stoney's mind he believes the man comes to check up on him; perhaps to see if his memory returned. Still, he ignores the suit as he currently is part owner of a Portland, Maine, boat with bait and tackle shop on BITCH CREEK where he is an considered an expert on various local fishing spots

Stoney takes out a client fishing on a nearby island. However, their angling is interrupted when they stumble upon a burned corpse. Not planning to get involved except for answering police questions, Stoney soon wonders what is going on when his customer is soon afterward also murdered. Unable to stay out of the investigation and wondering if he could be next, Stoney begins inquiries into who the killer is.

Fans of William G. Tapply's Brady Coyne will enjoy this fresh protagonist whose skills remain latent until he needs them. The storyline is action-packed as Stoney may be doing an amateur sleuth investigation, but in spite of his lost memory he is a pro. Readers will appreciate this exciting New England whodunit starring a fascinating hero and seek his previous appearance (see BITCH CREEK).

Harriet Klausner