The task of notifying the victim’s family falls to Chloe. Having had all the appropriate course work as part of her training, Chloe is prepared to offer grief counseling, and support. She is shocked by the response of Lee Thomas, Calvin’s wife, who seems relieved more than anything else. Lee’s elderly mother is almost pleased by the news, and neither woman can give Chloe any information which will enable her to contact Calvin and Lee’s daughter, Cornelia. The only person who shows anything like the response Chloe expected is the judge’s nine-year-old son, Justin, who seems genuinely upset by the news of his father’s death.

Chloe’s friend, Nate Pendergast, a reporter for a local paper, has been interested in the career of Judge Thomas for some time. He has told her he is working on a story that concerns the judge and is sure this item will give him the break he needs. He excitedly tells Chloe he is going to meet someone from whom he will obtain critical information which will solidify his story. Soon after, Nate’s girlfriend, Nola contacts Chloe with the news that Nate is missing. She is worried about his disappearance and, Chloe, remembering her conversation with Nate, decides the most sensible thing for her to do is to undertake her own investigation. Chloe correctly perceives that the judge’s death and Nate’s disappearance are connected.

Ghost Towns is a cozy mystery peopled with unusual characters. Although the identity of the murderer is fairly easy to guess, given the limited number of potential suspects, the characters themselves are interesting enough to keep most readers entertained to the conclusion. The judge’s family, especially his wife, mother-in-law and daughter are well drawn. They demonstrate strength and resolve seldom seen in women in their positions. They do not resort to counselors or medication to solve their problems.

Cornelia, for instance, decides that through photography she can deal with the hardships that life has dealt her, though it means separating herself from her family. The male characters seem less able to take charge of their lives, as shown by Chloe’s boyfriend, Craig who checks himself into a mental hospital of dubious repute when life gets rough for him. As a result, this novel may appeal to females more than males.

The author has written an acceptable novel, but she really endeared herself to me with her subtle criticism of modern sociology. Indicative of this stance is Chloe’s comment on victims. “Victims were supposed to take responsibility on their own, it was called empowerment. I hated words like “empowerment”. I agree with Chloe.

Readers who enjoy strong male characters will not be thrilled with this book. All of the men possess significant character flaws rendering them weak and unable to cope with trying circumstances. The females, by contrast, though confronted with emotionally and physically challenging situations, weather the storm admirably. An interesting contrast!

This volume appears to be the second in a series, following a book entitled, High Lonesome Road. I had no trouble following the plot or understanding the characters without having read the first book, but I assume it provides background on why and how Chloe ended up in a small town in Arizona. While not likely to keep you awake at night pondering great social or emotional issues, Ghost Towns provides several hours of amusement with a cast of reasonably intelligent characters.

--Andy Plonka