Over the course of twenty-eight books in any series, there will certainly be some that are better than others. While Steven F. Havill leaves readers guessing whether Reverse is the last in his Posada County mystery series, this one is certainly one of the best in recent years. It brings together all the sheriffs and undersheriffs of the New Mexico county in an absorbing police procedural. Havill’s latest is a complex story showing the effects of tragedies and crime on a small, close-knit community.
Undersheriff Estelle Reyes-Guzman is responding to a call from one of her officers when she hits two elk and is trapped in her car. The scene in which the police and EMTs respond to her accident is fascinating, an indication of the dedication and professionalism of the first responders in this border county. Although Estelle is just weeks away from retirement, she’s determined to hobble around and respond to calls.
She also responds to a request for lunch with her current boss, Sheriff Jackie Tabor, and her first one, Bill Gastner. Tabor has news of her own to add to Estelle’s plans for retirement, and the three agree to an end around the county commission so they can keep the sheriff’s department running smoothly as some of the top veterans retire or move on. But, Estelle still has calls to deal with. There’s one from the local priest who is worried about a 1957 Corvette that’s the prize in an auction with proceeds to benefit the three small community churches. He’s worried he didn’t see the car at the local dealer. There’s a call from the airport, where it appears someone vandalized an airplane scheduled to fly to a museum. Then, there’s the hardest one to deal with.
On a Sunday morning, the Corvette is missing from the dealership. The police have to search for it. But, before they can do much, woodcutters report the discovery of a teen, injured and almost dead near the old Consolidated mine quarry. How did he get there? It’s not long before he’s identified that they discover the missing car, half sunk in the water of the quarry, with another teen inside. It’s an engrossing scene as past and future officers join together to bring up the body and then the car.
What can’t be forgotten is that this case involves people, family members of people that Estelle and the other officers know. She and Sheriff Tabor head up a careful investigation, keeping people in mind, as they search for answers.
Is Reverse the final book in the Posadas County series? It’s hard to say, but Havill carefully plotted this story, bringing together favorite characters from past books. And, if he chooses to keep this riveting series going, one that combines community and police procedural, he’s introduced us to the departmental team that will keep the work going. Police work is never finished. Hopefully, this series isn’t either.
Reverse by Steven F. Havill. Severn House, 2026. 253p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital galley from the publisher through NetGalley, with no promise of a review.
