Dragon Fruit

July 4, 2016
In Keskinen’s uneven third Jaymie Zarlin mystery (after 2014’s Black Current), the Santa Barbara, Calif., PI seeks a missing toddler. Chucha Robledo, an undocumented immigrant, pays drug smugglers to transport her daughter, Rosie, from Mexico, but when Chucha arrives at the beach where their boat landed, the girl is gone. Hostile police officers warn Jaymie away from the investigation, and a homeless man connects the drug smugglers to law enforcement. When officers beat Chucha nearly to death, the quest for Rosie takes on added urgency. Keskinen excels at conveying a sense of place, and she builds a strong cast of supporting characters, such as two priests and a Roller Derby competitor entangled with shady cops. Other characters are sketchily drawn, however, leaving their motives unclear and actions implausible. Plot connections are tenuous at times. Still, Keskinen movingly highlights the plight of Chucha, who has few allies, and series fans should appreciate insights into Jaymie’s background and relationship with deputy sheriff Mike Dawson. Agent: Becca Stumpf, Prospect Agency.

September 1, 2016
Jaymie Zarlin is a very independent private investigator in Santa Barbara with a strong sense of justice. She is still grieving for her brother, a schizophrenic who died in jail, so she empathizes all the more with Chucha, an undocumented Mexican who paid drug smugglers to bring her baby daughter to California from Mexico. When she went to meet the boat, the child was not there. Jaymie's investigation leads her into the ugly underworld of human trafficking and political corruption. The local police are attempting to force her to drop the case, but Jaymie refuses to give in, especially as her investigation seems to be bringing her closer to the truth about her brother's death. This compelling story deals directly and effectively with important contemporary issues. The Santa Barbara setting and the determined, uncompromising sleuth make Dragon Fruit a perfect fit for Sue Grafton fans, but also for those who enjoy Marcia Muller and Sara Paretsky.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)