Icy waters, deep trouble

There is a slow-water movement to Joe Clifford’s writing. A contemplative, friction that is hard to define but is there on every page. It ripples over rocks, runs between river banks and surges into whirlpools. If water has a soul Clifford has captured it.

Jay Porter lives a life of grim poverty in small-town New Hampshire. He ekes out a meagre living and struggles to remain connected to his son by hanging onto a thread of reconciliation with his former girlfriend. His brother Chris is a  drug addict and Jay tries to keep him away from his life but knows it’s an impossible proposition.

When Chris goes missing it’s the beginning of the kind of trouble Jay wants no part of. This is well illustrated when Chris’ dubious business of recycling computer parts has someone worried enough to kill his partner.

As much as he wants to Jay can’t let it go. There was something convincing about Chris’ assertion that they had found an item of value. Was it all junkie talk? He’s not certain either way.

It’s winter and the icy feeling that is crawling down Jay’s back is a forerunner of a dark time.

*Lamentation is the first book in the Jay Porter series.

~ June Lorraine

Anthony Award nominee – Best Mystery Novel