November 1, 2003
The fifth and final entry in Herman's"Baxter" series (after High Stakes) centers on the violent death of Sheila Paxton, a corporate attorney who convinced Charlie Kirby, mayor of Baxter, to allow the Thompson Tire Corporation to move there despite many citizens' objections. Suspicions arise when a classmate of Charlie's 12-year-old son claims to have seen Charlie kissing Sheila. When Charlie's wife, Marlene, finds out, she shuts down emotionally and tells him that their marriage is finished. As the gossip escalates, newspaper editor Ellen Jones investigates and finds, amid more damning evidence against Charlie, the truth behind Sheila's murder. At the same time, Ellen's own marriage is tested when her husband asks her to leave Baxter for good. Herman's latest is a reasonably good thriller if a bit farfetched. Purchase where the series is popular.
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