Book Review: The End of Emerald Woods

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The End of Emerald Woods     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
David J. Walker
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Private Investigator   Married Couple
Series: Wild Onions # 3
St. Martin’s, Dec 2000, $23.95, 320 pp.

Chicago’s Wild Onion, Ltd. is an investigative and security firm consisting of a lawyer and a private detective. Duggan and Kirsten are also happily married to one another except when she feels the restraints of their matrimonial binds. Those feelings often lead her to do flaky things.

Kirsten accepts the case of twenty-four year-old Eudora Ragsdale, mother of twins, accused of absconding with $2000 raised to save Emerald Woods from developers. The case seems almost trivial until someone tries to kill Kirsten and her spouse. Another individual follows Kirsten until he is found murdered. It appears as if an unknown assailant will kill to insure plans for Emerald Woods are carried out, leaving the Wild Onion team to uncover the identity of the murderer before they are added to the count.

Well-written environmental mysteries are somewhat rare, but THE END OF EMERALD WOODS is an excellent example of what the sub-genre offers. Edgar nominee David J. Walker creates a fine mystery in his latest Wild Onions installment. However, as usual it is the intriguing married couple conducting business that turns this novel into a winner.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner