Claire Booth’s sixth Sheriff Hank Worth mystery, Home Fires, is the best in the series, combining police procedural in a small community and a cold case. But, it’s the teamwork and humanity that stands out. Booth’s book does not resemble the mysteries by Bill Crider, Steven F. Havill or Cynthia Harrod-Eagles. But, they do share elements as each series involves a police department that works closely together, and focuses on individuals at times, not just the main character.
Hank’s second-in-command at the Branson County, Missouri, sheriff’s department, Sheila Turley, is out on medical leave, so he’s stuck representing the department at the funeral of the local medical examiner. Most of the funeral is over when Worth’s phone goes off, along with the phones of every other police chief and sheriff in attendance. They all speed to the scene where a fireworks warehouse has gone up in flames. It’s not difficult to guess that everyone inside has died. It will be several days before the fire department can get inside to examine the scene and bring out remains.
While Hank and his team cope with grieving families and the media, mutterings about a bomb and terrorism, Sheila Turley is stuck at home, frustrated at her isolation. The determined woman coerces off-duty deputies into assisting her so she can monitor the scene and assist the investigation by computer and phone calls.
It’s one of those phone calls that turns Hank’s world upside-down. The University of Missouri sends pathologists, interns and residents to Branson to assist with the identification of dead bodies at the fireworks factory. One of those residents uncovers the sloppy work of the recently deceased medical examiner. And, one of the cases he neglected hits close to home for Hank, who follows up on that crime instead of dealing with the warehouse. It’s Sheila and a young deputy who put their time and energy into that case, frustrated when Hank disappears from their scene.
Claire Booth’s excellent police procedural involves small town life and shared grief. It plunges the reader right into a community nightmare, tragic deaths, unidentified remains, and a search for answers. Home Fires, with its focus on several investigations and several people, is the best in the series.
Claire Booth’s website is http://www.clairebooth.com/
Home Fires by Claire Booth. Severn House, 2024. ISBN 9781448310807 (hardcover), 252p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received a galley through NetGalley to review for a journal.
I’ve only read the first Sheriff Hank book, and I’m looking forward to the second. Sounds like I need to step up my reading pace so I can get to this sixth one soon!
And, they’re all important in building the characters. Don’t hurry, Kim.
I liked the first one, but like Kim, I haven’t read any of the others. Sounds good, and you compare it to three of my favorite series!
Jeff, this series grows on me. Each one gets better.
I’ve read all of the previous books but I’ll probably have to wait awhile to read this one since my library doesn’t have them and I can’t request it via ILL for 6 months
And, I don’t have a copy to give away, Sandy. I hope you can get it eventually.
I agree with SandyG. I have read all Claire Booths previous books and would love to read her newest but my library did not order it and it is not taking book requests anymore. I will try interlibrary loans and hope that that is still operating.
Oh, Pat. That’s sad that it wasn’t ordered, and they’re not taking book requests. I hope you can get it through ILL.
I have been meaning to read the first book in this series, and I should do that soon. The series sounds very good.
I just like this series, Tracy, and the changes in the characters.