Review: Midnight Pass

Stuart M. Kaminsky is an Edgar Award winner and creator of Inspector Rostnikov, Toby Peters, and Abe Lieberman. His latest mystery lead, Lew Fonesca is among my favorite.

Fonesca is just barely staying above water in the life hes built after a car crash that killed his wife. He drove away from everything he had and when his car finally gave out in Sarasota, Florida, he decided thats where hed give out too. He sustains his meager life by acting as a process server and the odd p.i. work. His therapist, Ann Horowitz, does her best to inspire him to face the deep-seated depression that has him at best apathetic.

Despite his best efforts to lay low, trouble comes to find Fonesca in the form of Councilman Rev. Fernando Wilkens. There is an upcoming proposal in the Sarasota City Council to reopen Midnight Pass, a man-filled area that blocks a water pass between two small islands. Wilkens asks Fonesca to locate a missing councilman, William Trasker, whose vote he counts on. He wants the pass to remain closed for the sake of his community and the unique ecology that developed after the pass was filled. Those against him want the pass opened to allow access to land they want built up for condos and tourists. Against his better judgement, Fonesca agrees. Another man, Kenneth Severtson, asks him to find his wife and two kids. Against his better judgement, Fonesca agrees. From someone that normally avoids people, Fonesca is suddenly surrounded. Hes not exactly pleased, but his need for justice and a sense of fair play has him crawling out from under his rock.

The quest to seek Trasker quickly brings unwanted, and violent, attention to Fonesca and Severtsons wife is in deep and deadly trouble when Fonesca finds her. Threats abound and with Fonescas take my life, please attitude and his wry sense of humor, his life is soon genuinely at risk. His need to find the truth out weighs his sense of danger. Layer upon layer of lies are uncovered as he digs.

And, bit-by-bit, his rag tag group of friends begins to wear away at the hard shell that surrounds his heart. Sally Porovsky wants to be more than just friendship and Ames McKinney, a former process receiver, is Fonescas backup and his touchstone. For the first time in a long time, Fonesca has something to live for & just when hes closet to losing it.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Jennifer Jordan

Book Review: Midnight Pass