River of Lies

May 18, 2020
In Greenaway’s slow-moving fifth crime novel focused on members of the North Vancouver, British Columbia, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (after 2019’s Flights and Falls), memory-impaired Det. Calvin Dion, who drags his heavy backstory through the book, and his conflicted partner, Det. David Leith, who has more than enough problems of his own, are called to the parking lot of a secondary school late one night to investigate the murder of the school janitor. The two are later summoned to the home of middle-aged Perry Vale and his new young wife, Gemma. During a dinner party, Gemma went to check on her baby, and found the crib empty. Is it a kidnapping? The detectives spend a lot of time wandering around as if they were hoping to hear confessions. They and their colleagues also worry about their love lives, medical conditions, and the disciplinary problems Dion could be facing. Series fans may enjoy the poking and prodding into Dion’s murky past, but others will likely find it tedious. This is not the place to start for newcomers. Agent: Carolyn Swayze, Carolyn Swayze Literary (Canada).