AT RISK by Patricia Cornwell

This little novel was originally a serial story for The New York Times Magazine, then published as a hardcover book in 2006.  It was another of the good reads from a huge bag given to me by a good friend.  We met up at a book sale yesterday, each buying more books than we can hope to read very soon, and both grinning from ear to ear.

In a departure from her award-winning series featuring Dr. Kay Scarpetta, this story is set in Boston and Knoxville, and the crime solver is a Massachusetts state investigator.  His sexy lady boss, the district attorney, had sent him to the National Forensic Academy in Knoxville and he was perplexed as to why he was there.  Suddenly he is called back to Boston urgently to meet with her and finds himself in the middle of a rape and homicide.  

Winston Garano is the detective and I was just as confused as he was for quite a while.  I can see where this would be successful  as a serial with people anxious to buy each Sunday newspaper to read the next installment.  Another character involved with the investigation although not always willingly, is another student at the forensic academy who Win has befriended there.  She is an older woman, an experienced investigator, trying her best to move up in her department and thus learning something new.  I get the feeling she is angry with herself for helping Win at the cost of her own prospects, but she becomes so intrigued by the case that she hangs on.

D.A. Monique Lamont, who Garano thinks of as "Money Lamount," is confusing.  She lives the high life, enjoys the fact that men find her sexy, and adores anything glass.  Her office and home are full of decorative glass items that reflect light to make an almost skewed vision.  She is as tough as nails and constantly yells as people in her office.  Is she involved in the case?  Is she what she appears to be?  Why does she order Garano this way and that - to keep him from making sense of anything?

At Risk is a short but excellent book.  It isn't too late for a beach read and this one is perfect for that purpose, although you must pay attention to what you're reading or you won't follow the story and the end will totally surprise you.  

Recommended
Source:  another book lover