The quaint dramas of colorful locals turn dark indeed in this crime thriller set along Canada's Sunshine Coast by the Edgar Award-winning author. Gordon Murphy has a Midas touch for business, but he's all thumbs when it comes to love. So Sergeant Karl Alberg isn't too concerned when Murphy sets his sights on Karl's girlfriend Cassandra. These days the happy couple share both a bed and a bed and breakfast. Besides, Alberg has some actual policing problems to contend with: a stolen coin collection, a hapless would-be burglar, local worthies hollering about the state of a fellow citizen's front yard. It all sounds charming and cozy. But Alberg's Sechelt, British Colombia, is no Cabot Cove. L.R. Wright, the "master of the psychological thriller," once again demonstrates her talent for getting at the dark roots under the roses (Booklist, on Mother Love).