The Company She Kept

July 6, 2015
Joe Gunther shows no sign of slowing down in Mayor’s accomplished 26th novel featuring the field force commander of the Vermont Bureau of Investigation (after 2014’s Proof Positive). When the half-frozen body of Susan Raffner, a Vermont state senator, is found hanging from a cliff off the interstate with the word Dyke carved on her chest, the state’s governor, Gail Zigman, puts Gunther in charge of the case. Gunther, who knew and respected Raffner, a polarizing activist and Zigman’s close friend and adviser, can count on the usual colorful crew to help him out. The irascible Willy Kunkle and the reckless Sammie Martens, the only female on the VBI squad, shine as they pursue the possibly misleading few clues. A thorough vetting of Raffner’s activities and associates yields some surprising results. Mayor does a good job dramatizing the political and cultural conflicts, but it’s the special push-the-envelope talents of Gunther and his team that make this series so enjoyable. Agent: Molly Friedrich, Friedrich Agency.