Part cozy mystery, part Agatha Christie and part political thriller ... takes you by the throat and never lets up. The final third of the novel spins one revelation after another until you won't know who to trust or what to believe. Never have I seen an edgier Jessica Fletcher mystery, which is a testament to the many different fictional genres in which Land has shown mastery. Even though there was a very good chance that Jessica was going to make it out of this dilemma, it still did not take away from the concern produced from the story, and I am sure that readers will be turning the pages and gritting their teeth with equal amounts of speed and vigor.
A heightened sense of peril, which tones down the cozy vibe and ratchets up the tension; this is a notable departure, but not altogether surprising, given Land’s reputation for propulsive thrillers ... Like all change, it takes some getting used to—but the effort is worth it, not only by virtue of the author’s merits but for the sustained literary life (and relevancy) it provides our beloved Jessica Fletcher and friends.
