Book Review: Out of Season

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Out of Season     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Steven F. Havill
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Police Procedural
Series: Bill Gastner # 7
St. Martin’s, Oct 1999, $23.95, 304 pp.

For the past two decades, sexagenarian Bill Gastner has worked as an under-sheriff in Posados County, New Mexico. With only a few months to go, he eagerly awaits his upcoming retirement. Things are coming to the sheriff’s department that forebode major change. His chief Estelle Rogers-Guzman is leaving office to move to another state. His best deputy plans to transfer to another office. Now his boss Sheriff Holman dies in an airplane crash.

The county supervisors insist Bill postpone his retirement and serve as the interim sheriff until the election occurs. Reluctantly, Bill acquiesces in their request. Bill begins inquiries into Holman’s death. Pieces of a bullet are found in the body of the pilot. The National Transportation and Safety Board find evidence that a bullet hit the fuselage before splintering into the pilot. Pictures that the deceased sheriff shot shows pastoral scenery. With the aid of the FBI, Bill plans to learn what was so important that two individuals were murdered to protect its secret.

Bill is a wonderful character, who, though weary, can physically and mentally keep astride with his much younger subordinates and peers. The linear story line cleverly hides the answer to the mystery until the end, but trying to guess why and what adds to the pleasure of reading OUT OF SEASON. Steven F. Havill keeps his tale simple yet difficult to figure out and that is the charm of the novel and the talent of the author.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner