5.0

There may be a couple of minor quibbles for Russ & Claire fans, but it's been SUCH a long time that we've gone to Millers Kill and gotten an update that this book feels like a delicious treat. Be sure to read Spencer-Fleming's afterword, where she explains why it's taken such a long time to get this book out. You'll forgive her; I did.

In fact, the last book in the series was published in 2013 and that one was a long time in coming, as well. It helps the reader understand that when Spencer-Fleming says something is happening in 'present day' it's really more like 10+ years ago--her timelines don't gel here. But let it go. It's a good story, expertly plotted around three crimes, decades apart. Spencer-Fleming has not lost her touch, and if you're worried about having forgotten everything in the intervening 7 years, she brings you up to date.

I can't decide exactly why I liked this book so much--it's more than just missing the characters. I think it has to do with the weaving that Spencer-Fleming does, explaining why you sometimes have to wait a long time to see how things turn out. Five stars.