ROAD KILL

In this novel, a “mundane” hit-and-run case has mess written all over it for a down-but-not-out private investigator.

Sidney Reed was once considered Alaska’s best private detective. But after life dealt him “a shitty hand,” he finds himself living in a dingy apartment above a downtown Anchorage coffee shop and is no longer on noted criminal defense attorney Eddie Baker’s “A” list of investigators. But Eddie’s in a bind and needs Sidney to help him with the politically sensitive hit-and-run that claimed the life of the son of a prominent Native leader. Eddie’s client, Rudy Skinner, was in prison for another offense and was ratted out by his cellmate, who claimed Rudy confessed the crime to him. But Eddie promises the case will be “nothing too intense.” Sidney is reluctant to take the assignment: He is still haunted by the death of his beloved wife, Molly, who by all official accounts chose suicide. Sidney needs answers. “She’s not coming back,” says his psychiatrist. “The sooner you come to grips with that, the sooner you can get on with your life.” His life could end sooner than expected, as his investigation leads him to the Cooley family, which is well known to anyone who works in the Alaska legal system. Let’s just say that things start breaking bad for Sidney. Norgard’s second Sidney Read novel achieves what a good sequel should. It gives the protagonist a case that will further test his acumen while moving his personal story forward—with a budding relationship with reporter Maria Maldonado—and setting up a possible full reckoning with Molly’s death. The author makes effective use of the Anchorage setting; suffice to say, Sam Spade never had his car totaled by an errant moose. Norgard avoids some clichés of PI fiction, such as the obligatory hostility from the local police, but indulges in others, like the overly talkative (albeit, surprisingly soulful) villain in the otherwise tautly wrought climax.

This well-executed sequel with a striking detective demands a third installment.