The Shallows

Starred review from April 15, 2019
In bestseller Goldman’s superior third mystery featuring Minneapolis PI Nils Shapiro of Stone Arch Investigations (after 2018’s Broken Ice), Nils looks into the murder of lawyer Todd Rabinowitz—found below the surface of a lake secured to a pier with a fish stringer through his mouth—at the request of the victim’s widow, Robin. The Greater Lake Minnetonka PD is also on the case. Robin admits to Nils that she was having a relationship with sculptor Arndt Kjellgren, but insists that the murder was connected to Todd’s legal firm. While visiting the firm, Nils spies local far-right political candidate Karin Tressler just before the announcement of a bomb threat against the lawyers. The bombing is followed by Arndt’s arrest and subsequent suspicious escape from the GLMPD. An apparent murder suicide raises the ante. Fortunately, Nils can turn for support to great people from Stone Arch, the Minneapolis PD, and the FBI. Goldman seasons the complicated puzzle with healthy doses of dry wit and meaningful secondary stories for his characters. Hopefully, Nils and company will return soon. Agent: Jennifer Weltz, Jean V. Naggar Literary.