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HIGH COUNTRY NOCTURNE
by Jon Talton
Poisoned Pen, June 2015
326 pages
$14.95
ISBN: 1464204004


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

The city of Phoenix provides the mean streets for the well-written and suspenseful mystery, HIGH COUNTRY NOCTURNE. This book is seventh in Jon Talton's David Mapstone Mysteries series. As protagonist, David Mapstone is a complex and multi-dimensional character. A former police officer, currently a private investigator, he is also an historian with a doctorate and a resume that includes a stint as a college professor. Mapstone's love of his hometown and his knowledge of the geography and history of this whole Arizona area as well as his insights into how it has changed and lost so much over the decades add much to the reader's enjoyment.

But this is not a textbook. It is a high-stakes mystery and reputations, political offices, relationships and the very lives of the people we meet are all in jeopardy. As the book opens, Mapstone's private-investigator partner, ex-sheriff Mike Peralta, is missing. He was acting as a diamond courier, but video footage shows him stealing the jewels that he was supposed to be securing and then shooting a fellow guard. Mapstone believes that Peralta could not possibly be guilty of these crimes, but he does not know what the truth might be. He suspects that Peralta is involved in some government sting, but he seems to be the only one who believes in Peralta's innocence.

As he and his partner's wife Sharon search the high country for Peralta, his car is pulled over by a blonde female officer who appears ready to kill Mapstone. She is only deterred by the appearance of another vehicle. This woman, whom Mapstone nicknames Strawberry Death, seems to be somehow involved with the stolen diamonds and continues to stalk Mapstone with murderous intent. When he is able to confront her, she talks about Peralta owing her the stones and of "suiciding" people, making it seem as though they have killed themselves. She also displays physical abilities that Mapstone surmises could only have been acquired in elite training. These moves help her to escape from him.

Meanwhile, Mapstone keeps getting clues from Peralta, telling him to find certain people or go to specific locations. His relationship with his wife Lindsey, a computer hacking expert who has worked for law enforcement, is going through a rough period, and they have a huge fight before tragedy strikes. Not only is she no longer available to help him find Peralta, but also throughout the rest of the book Mapstone must deal with his feelings about Lindsey while continuing to search for his partner.

A Mexican cartel may be involved. Perhaps the Russians are the culprits. Other diamonds worth more than the original shipment—rough or uncut diamonds—have disappeared from police evidence. There are twists and turns in the plot, but what is consistent here is the depth of David Mapstone's character, the excellent writing of the author, and the fascinating bits of historical information that are scattered throughout. Although this is book #7 in the series, the reader is provided with enough background information to understand the relationships and how past events impact on the present situation. That said, going back to the first book and reading the whole series is a very attractive option.

§ Anne Corey is a writer, poet, teacher and botanical artist in New York's Hudson Valley.

Reviewed by Anne Corey, July 2015

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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