Review: Shooting in the Dark

US readers are at a disadvantage when it comes to Baker's books - he currently has no US publisher, and those of us who enjoy his books make it a regular habit to check with used book dealers, peruse on line catalogs of books available for inter library loan programs, and send pleas to overseas friends and bookshops pleading for the latest Baker ASAP.

Published a couple of years ago, "Shooting in the Dark" had reposed unread by anyone on the shelves of the library at the University of Notre Dame for 18 months before my request through my local library sent the volume out to me. What a shame! Baker is an excellent writer, and his Sam Turner a very appealing protagonist.

Baker's style is a unique combination of lighthearted, humourous narrative coupled with dark, disturbing themes. As a reader I find myself mildly exasperated when the everyday tasks of "real life" force me to put the volume down and tend to business.

In "Shooting in the Dark" Sam's small private investigation service is doing well overall, but currently in the midst of a dry spell. Sam employs Celia, a retired English teacher, as his administrative manager; and Marie, JD, and Geordie as investigators. Geordie was living on the streets when Sam first hired him, and he has developed into a delightful icon of happy, if somewhat eccentric domesticity, with a wife, an infant daughter, a home, a faithful dog, and a fierce loyalty towards Sam.

A woman contacts the agency. She is blind and is being stalked by an unknown enemy. Her only living relative, a sister, is being stalked as well. Sam agrees to assist the two women in identifying the person who is threatening them. When the sister disappears and is later found dead on the Yorkshire moors, the victim of a particularly cruel attack, Sam's concerns for his new client are heightened, and he persuades her to move into his house for safety's sake.

As in earlier books in this series, in alternating chapters we see events from the criminal's point of view, and this amplifies concern for the other characters. But neither Sam Turner nor the reader understand the motivation for the vicious attacks until the very last few pages.

In addition to the stalking of the client, Geordie and his wife Janet also deal with the unsavory presence of a long missing relative. We get refreshing new knowledge of Janet's inate common sense. (Janet is Geordie's wife) And Sam tentatively moves toward including a new woman in his life.

It's worth a search to find Baker's books. This is one of the best continuing series currently being published in the mystery genre.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Woodstock - RAM

Book Review: Shooting in the Dark