The book begins with a high-intensity scene: a shoot-out at a remote house between the police and drug dealers results in Russ being shot. His last word is “Clare.”

The time shifts to six months earlier. Single mother Hadley Knox has moved to Millers Kill to live with her grandfather who works as the sexton in Clare’s church. Hadley needs a job, and Clare suggests she apply for a position with the police department.

There is a little-known but sizeable Latino population in the county comprised mostly of undocumented farm workers. Clare learns of the multiple problems facing these residents when she meets a nun at an ecumenical luncheon. Clare offers her help and that of her church in helping to provide services to them. When the nun is injured in an automobile accident, she asks Clare to take her place. Russ only gradually learns of the number of undocumented aliens; his own sister and brother-in-law employ several on their dairy farm. The mystery subplot starts up when a Latino farm worker stumbles over a dead body. Soon more bodies are discovered. There are fears of a serial killer in the vicinity.

Meanwhile, Hadley Knox has attracted the attention of a younger fellow police officer, Kevin Flynn; fraternization within the police department is strictly against the rules. A Latino farm worker has formed an attachment with a young woman whose brothers are probably engaged in criminal drug activity. And Russ and Clare are finding it increasingly difficult to stay apart even though they have serious conflicts.

Few authors can handle multiple interwoven story lines as skillfully as Julia Spencer-Fleming. The five-star rating reflects just how gripping I Shall Not Want is; the energy never flags. This is one of those books that it’s advisable to begin reading on the Saturday morning of an unscheduled weekend because putting it down is nearly impossible. Nevertheless, readers unfamiliar with the series should not begin with this book. Russ’s and Clare’s history is critical to understanding their relationship, and the cursory explanation given in an early chapter barely scratches the surface. Other characters are similarly well-depicted. Character development is one of the series’ strengths.

Without revealing the ending, it is apparent that there will be yet another in this series. That’s good news because Ms. Spencer-Fleming’s devoted fans will not be ready to bid farewell to Clare and Russ and Millers Kill at the conclusion of I Shall Not Want. They’re going to want more.

--Lesley Dunlap