By the Time You Read This

Lines of inquiry

*****SPOILER ALERT! THIS REVIEW CONTAINS DETAILS YOU MIGHT WANT TO COME TO ON YOUR OWN*********

In this installment of the John Cardinal series death come early and from an angle I wasn't expecting.

Within the first few pages John Cardinal's wife, Catherine is found dead, an apparent suicide. Cardinal and his daughter Kelly find it awkward being in such close quarters with the absence of Catherine thrust in their faces at every turn. Preparing for a funeral is never easy, but what do you say to people when the person took their own life?

While he is on bereavement leave Lise Delorme, his frequent partner in these stories, is handed a case no police officer ever wants to handle - child pornography including evidence of sexual abuse. The case originates with the Toronto Police but the registration on a plane in the background of one photo indicates a connection to Algonquin Bay. Delorme starts the delicate task of investigating while trying to make sure the unknown perpetrator doesn't get alerted. One false move and not only will he disappear but also any potentially incriminating evidence will go up in smoke.

The internal logic of this tale slowly brings the two incidents together, with the reader able to see connections invisible to Cardinal and Delorme. Each new development ratchets up the tension until you wonder whether the metaphorical cavalry will arrive in time to prevent further tragedies.

Blunt continues to develop the characters of his two principles and the story, while grim at times, is a worthy addition to the series. "By the Time You Read This" will make you want to read more.