The Day After Yesterday

I was delighted to see this new Joe Hannibal novel. His creator, Wayne Dundee, is one of my favorite writers. In this outing Joe is investigating the suspicious deaths of two of his oldest and dearest friends. In the course of the investigation he encounters a full stew of mystery and suspense ingredients: lost love, new-found love, some creepy government types, some old reliable government types, some terrorists, some good cops, a bad cop, a wealthy rancher with his private militia . . . you name it, it's here. And it all works. The Nebraska atmospherics are excellent. The narrative pace is perfect. The characters are memorable. The resolution is more than satisfactory. As always, Wayne adds a pinch or two of violence and a tablespoon of sex. Feel the love. And welcome Joe back.

From Ogallala, Nebraska Abby Bridger calls private investigator Joe Hannibal to inform him her Uncle Bomber Brannigan and his companion Liz Grimaldi died in a nearby car crash. A stunned Joe leaves his home Rockford, Illinois to attend the funeral of his two best friends. Nine days after the funeral, an upset Abby calls Joe informing him something is not right about the deaths of Bomber and Liz. Deputy Clint Barnstable was the first law enforcement official on the scene and he reported alcohol and the pair were having sex when they took a turn way too fast. Abby and Joe know Bomber cannot drink and would not, and that the pair were close buddies but not lovers; someone rigged the crime scene. Joe agrees to return to the Cornhusker state to investigate, not yet realizing that he will soon be dealing with a militia, Homeland Security agents, an enigmatic undercover Fed, and a Russian terrorist; but none of that matches his female troubles or the need to rescue Abby's kidnapped child. This is an interesting Great Plains conspiracy thriller starring a hard boiled private investigator skirmishing with the government, the militia, and a terrorist. The subplot involving Joe with his estranged girlfriend is well written; however his romantic involvement with Abby feels more like a sub-genre requirement that detracts from an otherwise strong tale of betrayals. Harriet Klausner