I enjoyed this series. There were a couple slow spots but all in all it was a good read. I was slightly disappointed that the librarian main character never went to the library, I hope that changes in the next book in the series as she actually should start work. This book was her "move to the area and get settled" story. I also love the cop, he's not super gorgeous, not super smart, and not, thus, a stereotype. He's a competent cop with a good sense of his job and thus good at it - a nice change of pace. Oh, and the mystery was fun too - I didn't see the solution coming until late in the story. I'll be looking for the next in the series. ( )

I got lost immediately in this delightful story by Vancouver, USA, author, Sheila Simonson.

The action, and there's plenty, takes place in a fictional town and county on the Washington side of the the Columbia River Gorge. Any one familiar with the region will get a big kick out of how well the author renders the people, the politics, and the landscape of a small town confronting big issues.

Readers from beyond the Pacific Northwest will enjoy the well crafted story as newly arrived librarian Meg McLean gets cast into motion after finding something unpleasant hidden in the garage of the old home she purchased.

The ancient landscapes and spirits of the Columbia River Gorge come alive as developers, environmentalists, Native Americans, honest cops and corrupt politicians collide, collude, and confront an increasingly tense, tangled, and intriguing series of crimes.

Simonson has a great eye for detail, a fine ear for dialogue, and a wonderful sense of pacing. The characters are diverse and believable, and the author writes with a light but firm touch that engages the reader's imagination. ( )

Amazon received ( )