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This is Dean Hovey's second novel in what one hopes is a successful collaboration with a young Twin Cities publisher, Sid Jackson. This novel continues the story of Pine County, Minnesota's, chief investigator for the Sheriff's department, Dan Williams. He's still popping antacids and still having mild disagreements with his wife over his incessantly bad hours. What makes this story work is the continuing exploration of this conflicted cop, his family and his close acquaintances as he goes about his routine and not so routine duties. Even in rural Pine County, it seems, murder and vice occur all too frequently. And even in Pine County there are those who would be just as happy if Williams's investigation of the death of a hooker was swiftly concluded, written off as just another sad but ordinary tale. A young woman, Jeannie Oinen, made a bad decision some time ago. It's a decision which has dogged her for a number of years and has been a principal factor in her deepening depression. When she finally takes some positive action to rectify her earlier mistake, that action has wide-reaching and unforeseen, tho perhaps inevitable, consequences. They include murder and the destruction of several lives and careers and attempted manipulation by powerful men. Readers won't discover any great insights into rural life in Minnesota, but they won't be disappointed either. Indeed, there isn't much about this novel which is particularly new and fresh. That isn't to suggest it's not an enjoyable readit is. Hovey has his characters well in hand. He understands them and their motivations, even if they are for the most part, people we all know and either admire or revile. The action moves swiftly and relentlessly toward a logical and reasonable conclusion. The novel is cleanly and well-written. Carl Brookins carlbrookins@earthlink.net INNER PASSAGES A SUPERIOR MYSTERY http://www.Minnesotacrimewave.org
Reviewed by Carl Brookins, December 2002
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