A THIN DARK LINE by Tami Hoag

 Finished We 7/6/22

This is a relatively new paperback that I bought at the library book sale on Sa 1/11/20. I recently read another novel by Hoag and I am going to loan both books to Janny. She and Joe are supposed to drop by tomorrow with some home-grown zucchini.  

Tami Hoag is more of a storyteller than a writer, but she presents a beguiling tale. My only fault is that it might come across as a little too romantic, but I think that's what she's going for. 

Set in Set in Bayou Breaux, Louisiana which would be just east of Lafayette, LA.

From GoodReads:

"A suspected murderer is free on a technicality, and the cop accused of planting evidence against him is ordered off the case. But Detective Nick Fourcade refuses to walk away. He’s stepped over the line before. This case threatens to push him over the edge.

He’s not the only one. Deputy Annie Broussard found the woman’s mutilated body. She still hears the phantom echoes of dying screams. She wants justice. But pursuing the investigation will mean forming an alliance with a man she doesn’t trust and making enemies of the men she works with. It will mean being drawn into the confidence of a killer. For Annie Broussard, finding justice will mean risking everything—including her life.

The search for the truth has begun—one that will lead down a twisted trail through the steamy bayous of Louisiana, and deep into the darkest reaches of the human heart."

"A Real estate agent is found dead and mutilated in one of her vacant listings. There are several other deaths peppered throughout southern Louisiana that have had the same MO. The authorities are stumped until Nick Fourcade a detective finds evidence pointing toward a man who knew the victims, however, the incriminating evidence is thrown out on a technicality. The local public becomes enraged and father of the latest victim try's to shoot the suspect, on the courthouse steps, upon his release.

Annie Broussard is the deputy who found the body and is doing her own investigation into who is committing these gruesome murders. Late one evening while she is off duty, Annie comes across intoxicated Nick Fourcade while he is beating said suspect. She must for his own good arrest him before he beats the suspect to death. This makes her very unpopular with the locals and she is completely shunned by her fellow officers. This in turn makes her even more determined than ever."