Closer Still

June 2, 2008
In British author Bannister's absorbing eighth Brodie Farrell mystery (after 2007's Flawed
), Farrell continues to juggle the two men in her life: Det. Supt. Jack Deacon of the Dimmock police, who's the father of her young son, and Daniel Hood, the lovelorn math teacher who helps run Looking for Something? Farrell's “finding” agency. The murder of Joe Loomis—pimp, drug dealer, racketeer—is almost cause for celebration until the victim's dying utterance results in Deacon's removal from the case. When the investigation uncovers a suspected terrorist plot with Dimmock as the unlikely target, the focus shifts to preventing panic by foiling the terrorists. Farrell also becomes embroiled in the hunt for Loomis's killer. Bannister's portrayal of the town's response to a possible attack shows how easily mistrust can mushroom into violence. Readers will relish Bannister's well-plotted solution and the revelation of unexpected depths and facets in her series characters.

July 1, 2008
Brodie Farrells business is finding thingsmissing tea sets, rare books, lost dogs. But this time, she finds a dead body. London gangster Joe Loomis lands on her doorstep one night, bleeding to death from a knife wound. Before he dies, he mutters one syllable: D. Could this be a clue to the identity of his murderer? Brodies partner, cop Jack Deacon, is keen to investigate, but he is soon distracted by something much biggera terrorist threat to blow up their charming English village. As stress levels rise, Jack is desperate to find the bomber before thousands of local citizens die in a massive explosion, which leaves the always curious Brodie to find Joe Loomis killer. Who could guess that the two cases are interlinked in the most bizarre way? Bannister delivers a compelling plot, a likably feisty heroine, an intriguing supporting cast, and enough suspense to keep readers burning the midnight oil.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)