Valley of the Lost

by: Vicki Delany

Published by: Poisoned Pen Press (February release)

Reviewed by Kathy Perschmann

Constable Molly Smith is back in the second in this well-written series, set in the beautiful small town of Trafalgar, British Columbia. Molly, named Moonlight by her adoring hippie parents, Vietnam War draft dodgers who moved to Canada, is trying to make her way as a part of the police department in a small town that knows her and her family well.

One night while leaving the Women’s Support Center she helps run, Molly’s mother Lucky finds the body of a young girl in the woods, and a baby! She recognizes them as Ashley and Miller, occasional attendees at the shelter’s classes for new mothers. The police when they arrive find Lucky caring for the baby. They also find a needle alongside the body, and it appears as if Ashley may have died of an overdose, though all the marks on her arms seem old. No one can or will tell them Ashley’s full name, though her roommate Marigold, and Julian, a counselor recently returned to Trafalgar from Vancouver, appear to know more.

Lucky continues to care for Miller, though a woman from Children’s Services repeatedly tries to take him away. The fact that Constable Smith still lives at home helps Lucky stave off the persistent social worker, though Miller’s noisy nights have Molly’s whole family suffering. Sergeant John Winters is certain he is dealing with a suspicious death as the young woman had been restrained, and there had been no signs that she had been using drugs recently. Despite a lot of effort, no one can find out her real name, or the name of the baby.

Eventually many people contribute to solving the mystery of their identities. Just in time Winters realizes that baby Miller may be the target, not Ashley. The stunning and exciting conclusion, when Molly and Miller are threatened, will leave you reeling.

Molly’s unusual family, her friend Christa, and her colleagues on the force, all are characters you’ll want to see more of.

Armchair Interviews agrees.

Author’s Web site: http://www.VickiDelany.com