First Sentence: Ten years in the district attorney’s office has taught me to never let down my guard, even here on Beacon Hill.
A serial killer targeting college-aged girls is loose in Boston. While Abby Endicott, chief of the DA’s homicide unit, is working with the police on the investigation, she also has personal pressure from her parents to leave her job, from her boss to run for his job, and from her personal relationship. But bringing a killer to justice that is Abby’s first priority.
Wechsler provides us with an opening that begins frightening but has a great twist to it. A hazard of the job? The first chapter is an excellent catch-up for new readers and/or reminder for those who read the first book. She portrays Boston well. Not only does she mention landmarks, but often cites a bit of their history. She also provides a look at the sad reality of today’s cities—“Winding along the Charles River, we pass a series of iconic landmarks: the Hatch Shell where every Fourth of July, the Boston Pops perform Tchaikovsky’s tempestuous 1812 Overture, and where last March, a jogger was sexually assaulted and beaten.”
It is not often one sees the legal process from the perspective of the prosecution. Learning now indictments are done is fascinating. We also get a look at the political and financial horse trading that goes on behind the scenes. It is also interesting watching Abby develop in her personal life.
There is a very good balance of the professional and personal. However, considering the author’s background, one might wish more focus on the former than the latter. The legal and courtroom information really do provide focus and veracity to a story that has a compelling, and occasionally suspenseful, mystery element.
“The Graves” is thoroughly engrossing. It is a very good step forward in the series.
THE GRAVES (Legal Thriller-Abby Endicott-Boston, MA-Contemp) – G+
Wechsler, Pamela – 2nd in series
Minotaur Books – May 2017
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