"Another McKnight mystery"
Turning forty-nine this summer in Paradise, Michigan, Alex
McKnight spends a lot time reflecting on his life so far
but finds it wanting. He turns reclusive until his pal,
Glasgow Inn owner Jackie Connery, bullies Alex to join a
poker game hosted by wealthy developer Win Vargas. During
the game, Win claims that one of the regulars, not playing
that night, is having an affair with his wife. Not long afterward, three hoods break and enter the Vargas
home. They make Win go upstairs with one of them while the
other two point guns at the heads of the remaining five
card players. Instead of robbing Win of his wife's jewels
and the men of their wallets, they destroy his marine and
Indian artifact collection before leaving. A stunned Win
ponders how they knew the location of his secret safe.
Unable to say no, Alex heeds the call of the wife of his
former private investigative partner Leon Prudell to keep
her husband safe while he investigates the robbery for Win. The latest McKnight mystery is a robust entry because the
audience sees another side of the hero, struggling with his
age and his lack of success in life. The story line starts
off focusing on Alex' internal skirmish, but quickly picks
up speed when he gets involved with Win via the card game
and through Leon. Alex is at his best and the support cast
augments the isolated feeling of going NORTH OF NOWHERE
that shows why Steve Hamilton is an award-winning author. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted April 10, 2002
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