All We Buried

February 10, 2020
This well-crafted series launch from the pseudonymous Taylor (the Eddie Shoes mysteries as Elena Hartwell) introduces Bet Rivers, an LAPD detective who has returned to her hometown of Collier, Wash., population “less than a thousand,” to be the new sheriff after the death of her ailing father, Sheriff Earle Rivers. The discovery of the body of a young woman floating in Lake Collier, wrapped in canvas, plunges Bet into her first murder investigation. The action starts slowly as Taylor skillfully sets the scene, describing the distinctive local landscape and the large cast of characters, past and present, one of whom may be a murderer. After a second woman’s body is found in the lake, Bet shifts into high gear and uncovers secret caves, hidden gold, a hoarder’s den, and old rivalries. Meanwhile, in an intriguing subplot, Bet’s deputy plans to run for sheriff against her in the next election. The introspective, conflicted Bet proves her mettle. Readers will look forward to her next outing. Agent: Madelyn Burt, Stonesong Literary.