In the late ’70s and early ’80s, I read George C. Chesbro’s mysteries featuring Dr. Robert “Mongo” Fredrickson who had dwarfism. I didn’t read the later books in the series as they drifted into speculative fiction. Now, one of Barbara Nickless’ protagonists in At First Light, Dr. Evan Wilding, has dwarfism. He takes on weird cases for the Chicago Police Department. He’s the first one Detective Adrianne “Addie” Bisset calls when she has a ritualistic murder.

Detective Bisset and her partner, Detective Patrick McBrody, certainly have a weird case. Their latest victim was found staked to the ground with a slashed throat, a tightened noose around his neck, and a blow to his head. Overkill? Maybe. But, Dr. Wilding is a forensic semiotician. He studies signs left by a killer, the rituals a killer performs or the writing left at a scene. He’s paid to think outside the box. In this case, the stakes left behind appear to contain runes. And, Evan thinks the runes are part of a poem written by someone who connects themselves with the Vikings.

While Wilding is Addie’s friend, he’s also a tenured professor at the University of Chicago, and a paid consultant for the police department. But, her chauvinistic boss, Lieutenant Criver, wants to bring in his own expert, Ralph Rhinehart, an expert runologist who appears on television and has a podcast. While Evan and Rhinehart agree on some of the translation of the runes, Rhinehart wants to blame the murder on Nazism and racism and Wilding believes there have been other ritual killings, and believes the murder is the work of a brilliant serial killer. Both men still believe they are right when a second victim is found in a neighboring county.

While some readers will not read the book because of the ritualistic killings, it’s actually fascinating to follow Wilding’s theories as he digs into the stories of the Vikings, their beliefs, and Beowulf. But, the repetition of the runes did become a little tiring.

Those who read for character will appreciate Barbara Nickless’ cast. Dr. Evan Wilding and Addie Bisset are best friends, attracted to each other, but neither will make a move because of their height difference. Wilding’s postdoc candidate, Diana Alanis, is a brilliant woman who can throw an ax with the best of them. From Evan’s “Indiana Jones” adventurous brother, to his magnificent goshawk, this is a cast of fascinating people.

A little too much runes, a little too much ritualistic killing. But, At First Light has an intriguing cast. And, I never picked out the killer.

Barbara Nickless’ website is https://www.barbaranickless.com/

At First Light by Barbara Nickless. Thomas & Mercer, 2021. ISBN 9781542026413 (paperback), 395p.

FTC Full Disclosure – I received a galley to review for a journal.