Starred review from January 25, 2016
In this excellent sequel to 2015’s Broken Promise, bestseller Barclay’s knack for realistic characterizations makes each person, even the nasty ones, stand out. Promise Falls, N.Y., a town already fraught with troubles, suffers a major tragedy when four people perish in the unexplained collapse of the Constellation Drive-In Theater’s movie screen during its final night of business. PI Cal Weaver looks into a break-in at the home of one of the drive-in victims. Meanwhile, police detective Barry Duckworth attempts to solve two possibly linked murders while also investigating increasingly violent pranks, each of which involves the number 23. Barclay smoothly integrates myriad subplots, which involve a secret room for sex parties, an arrogant politician, an attempted kidnapping, a missing professor’s wife, a vacationing spouse, and the violent head of security at a local college. Each odd turn uncovers another dark aspect of Promise Falls. Readers will look forward to the trilogy’s finale due later this year. Agent: Helen Heller, Helen Heller Agency (Canada).