Death of a Hired Man - Hardcover

Three recent books featuring different series characters (Lucy Trimble in 1999's Death on the Rocks; Joe Barley in 2000's The Kidnapping of Rosie Dawn; and this entry featuring newly retired Toronto policeman Mel Pickett) demonstrate Canadian author Wright's versatility and excellence. Mel and his new wife, Charlotte, have a total of four homes between them--Mel's house in Toronto, his cabin and trailer at the same site near Larch River, and Charlotte's home in Larch River. They haven't had time to sort out which to keep and which to sell, but Mel has rented the trailer to friend Eliza Pollock and the cabin to local farmhand Norbert Thompson. Thompson's murder at the remote cabin site has local police investigating the victim's sister-in-law and her new husband. But Mel is concerned that he, not Thompson, might have been the target--and that could endanger both Charlotte and Eliza. As he struggles with his retired status, which he circumvents in various ways, Mel also struggles with his relationship with a putative son and granddaughter. And he and Charlotte have adjustments to make to their new life together, including what secrets to share or keep hidden. There is nothing gratuitous in Wright's novels--not sex, nor violence, nor strangely quirky characters. Instead one gets careful plotting and a large, diverse cast of characters whose strengths and weaknesses ring perfectly true. (Mar. 9)Forecast: A solid midlist author, Wright could reach more literary readers with good word of mouth and careful handselling.

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Wright, best known for his Canadian-based Charlie Salter and Lucy Trimble mysteries, introduces a new series featuring retired Ontario provincial policeman Mel Pickett. Mel is having trouble adapting to retirement, even though a late-blooming romance has turned him into a happily married man. But being a policeman is in Mel's blood, and even retirement can't keep him from getting involved in a case that's decidedly personal. A dead man is found in Mel's isolated vacation cabin, and Mel thinks he was the intended victim, not the local hired man who was renting the cabin. The local cops aren't convinced, especially since they have a suspect who has confessed to the crime. Using the same careful investigative techniques that made him such a good policeman, Mel sets out to solve the case, proving that the easiest solution isn't necessarily the right one. This solidly written police procedural, with touches of wry humor and a likable hero, makes a fine series debut for the always dependable Wright. Emily Melton
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