A wealthy plastic surgeon, Ronald Bushnell, is found brutally murdered in his office, along with his nurse and receptionist. When Jessie Drake and her partner, Phil Okum, investigate the crime, they first think of disgruntled patients who may have been more than a little dissatisfied with the results of their nose job or breast enhancement procedures. But after questioning Bushnell’s distraught wife and daughter, the investigation turns to a young man named Ethan, who lived with the Bushnell family for ten years. Ethan is missing and it’s unclear if he is a fugitive or another victim. The more Jessie explores, the more secrets come to light about a dysfunctional family and a series of selfish choices that have led to this tragedy.

Jessie knows all about disturbed families. Her mother, a Holocaust survivor, was physically abusive to Jessie and her sister Helen, while their father turned a blind eye. Jessie responded with a tight control over her emotions, but Helen abused her own son until Jessie intervened. Looking for answers, Jessie has recently begun to embrace her Jewish roots with the help of an Orthodox teacher, Ezra. Lately, though, Jessie’s interest in Ezra has morphed into something less secular and more physical. She is extremely cautious, however, because of Ezra’s strong beliefs and her own fragile heart, wounded by a failed marriage and subsequent, unsuccessful reconciliation attempt with her ex-husband.

Krich is a skilled writer who deftly introduces Jessie to new readers while fleshing out her character to those who have followed along for the previous four books. While she is an accomplished police officer, it’s obvious that Jessie is searching for something to fulfill her spiritually. As a side-effect of her exploration of Judaism, Jessie utilizes biblical commentary to get a better handle on the murder case; amazing how the same human dynamics and frailties have haunted us for thousands of years! But biblical explanations aren’t enough; Jessie also relies on strong detective work that helps her eliminate several red herrings.

Shadows of Sin becomes increasingly dark as it progresses and its climax is suspenseful and devastating. Krich doesn’t provide any easy answers for a troubled family that has destroyed itself from inside. This downbeat conclusion is the only reason I can think of that would keep me from seeking out the earlier books in the series. But readers looking for an intelligent, thoughtful mystery with an intriguing heroine will not be disappointed by this effort.

--Susan Scribner