A couple weeks ago, one of the blog readers mentioned he quit a book because the author never developed the characters. Although that book was the second in the series, he said he didn’t know anything about the main character. That isn’t a problem with Frederick Weisel’s second Violent Crime Investigations Team Mystery, The Day He Left. Weisel explores the thoughts of each member of the team. He also delves into the motivation for several victims, family members, and involved parties. For those of us who read for character, this book is complex and well-done.

Annie and Paul Behrens have been married long enough that she no longer listens to him. Paul is a middle school English teacher who loves literature. He’s popular with his students. Annie is a nurse who drinks too much, works second shift so seldom spends time with Paul, and she tunes him out when he talks. That becomes a problem only when he doesn’t show up at school one day. Their son, Jesse, saw him in the morning. He wasn’t wearing his normal khakis and polo shirt, but a jacket and tie. And, he might have been crying. But, when Annie calls the police because Paul is missing, she can’t tell them if he was depressed or anxious or upset. She was no longer present in their life together.

The members of Santa Rosa, California’s Violent Crime Investigations Team, have become a team under the leadership of Lieutenant Eddie Mahler. Steve Frames is temporarily on loan to the Narcotics Team, but the former soldier will assist in the search for the missing man. Eddie can count on Daniel Rivas, who is close to retirement, but has a memory for criminals. Eden Somers is a former FBI profiler, who cracked under the strain of a serial killer case. Matt Coyle has taken on the role of computer manager for the team.

Despite their own doubts about their lives, as they search for personal answers, the team members step up to search for Paul Behrens. In the three days they work on the case, they talk with family members and friends of the missing man. They search the coast, looking for him. And, they uncover family secrets, Annie’s, Paul’s, and Jesse’s.

Even if you didn’t read The Silenced Women, you can still pick up The Day He Left. The author introduces the reader to the VCI team. And, he fills three days with several intriguing cases and a thorough step-by-step investigation. It’s a carefully plotted, well-written story. Those of us who want interesting characters who are well-developed? Frederick Weisel’s The Day He Left gives us characters to satisfy that demand, up to and including the final scenes.

Frederick Weisel’s website is https://frederickweisel.com/

The Day He Left by Frederick Weisel. Sourcebooks/Poisoned Pen Press, 2022. ISBN 9781464214219 (paperback), 384p.

FTC Full Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of the book, hoping I would review it.