Tom asks Episcopalian priest Kathryn Koerney to keep an ear out at the university, where she also teaches classes, to learn what people aren’t telling the police. Plenty of people had reason to hate the arrogant professor, from not so clandestine love affairs to academic jealousies and rivals.

After Tracy’s husband drops dead at a party drinking a drink meant for Tracy, Holder and Kathryn begin to think that Tracy was the intended victim, and then think that her husband was, since most in their circle knew of his controlling ways and might have expected him to snatch her last drink from her hands. As if all of this is not enough, Tom’s wife, with whom he shares a house (though they are mostly estranged) disappears and he must explain why she has been missing for three days before he noticed.

Kathryn is shocked to learn from several people that Tom is in love with her and has been in love with her for some time. She summons her new love, Kit, to come from England to prove to people that she and Tom are not an item and he had nothing to do with his wife’s disappearance.

The characters in this book are both human and likeable. Kathryn does go out of her way, several times to point out her uncharitable feelings towards one of the suspects, and she barely mentions Kit, the supposed love of her life.

Tom does some growing and learning about himself and his relationships in this book and will come out ok, if not entirely happy. While the mystery of who killed Mason Blaine, and why is engrossing enough, what happened to Tom’s wife is an added bonus, and is a humorous touch when all is revealed. An ending leaves room for speculation that we haven’t seen the last of Kathryn and Tom and that there may be a happy ending in store for them both, if not together, in the near future. Without being too heavy handed, Familiar Friend is an enjoyable, literate read.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry