Chat A Joe Gunther Novel [Paperback]

News travels fast in the small state of Vermont. In this tight-knit society, police officers and investigators proudly maintain a kinship that transcends the boundaries of their jurisdictions. When an unidentified body is found in the peaceful town of Brattleboro, local police and the Vermont Bureau of Investigation both appear at the scene. But before investigator Joe Gunther can begin to gather evidence of murder, a family emergency sends him to his hometown, where the lives of his mother and brother have suddenly been threatened. Gunther reaches out to a network of police officers who know him only by name and reputation as he attempts to discover the source of this imminent danger. Meanwhile, his investigative team chases an elusive murderer who has no apparent ties to the victim. In a state that is more like a neighborhood community, secrets are difficult to keep, and it's sometimes impossible to know who can be trusted. Gunther soon finds himself opposing criminals more menacing than any he has ever encountered in order to save those he holds closest to his heart.

All the ingredients for a great mystery are here: fast pacing, a believable plot, a plausible solution, and characters so real they walk off the pages. Mayors books just get better and better. Dont miss this one.

Library Journal, October 07

After 18 installments, Gunthers adventures remain as consistently readable as anything in the genre.

Kirkus Reviews

Chat is the best of the Gunther series since Gatekeeper. It has all of the great elements of past installments, including the well-drawn Vermont atmosphere, but it also has the deep thinking on family and entertaining action scenes that make this installment even richer.

The Eisenthal Report

Made it, Ma. Top o the world. Leo quoted theatrically, his words shrouding his head in the cold night air. What would you think if I went out like that?

His mother twisted around in her whlÃ)