What Alix discovers seems to dovetail with current events, including the shooting of a federally protected wolf. Another problem Alix is considering is that of her boyfriend, who has moved to Jackson. She just isn’t sure why.

How much nicer this mystery would have been if the rationale behind the crimes was credible. It is not, however, and that ruined the payoff. The author really had me interested in what might have happened 25 years ago that would so affect the lives of several residents of Jackson. She works hard to get us ready for a big secret, and then lets us down. At the end, I was rolling my eyes.

What is debatable is whether the ecological slant, the interesting setting and the unabashedly self-absorbed central character are enough to recommend you read the book anyway. If you are already invested in the series I think you should read this one. But don’t pay for this hardback - visit your library!

--Diane Gotfryd