At Midnight Comes the Cry: A Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne Mystery

Veteran cop Russ Van Alstyne searches for a missing former colleague in his splendid latest adventure from Spencer-Fleming (after Hid from Our Eyes). Christmas is around the corner in the small town of Millers Kill, N.Y., and Russ has just resigned from his position as chief of police to focus on his new child with his wife, Episcopal priest Clare Fergusson. Before Russ can get his bearings as a civilian, however, he learns that Kevin Flynn, who was under Russ’s command before he left Millers Kill to join the Syracuse PD, has disappeared. His sometime girlfriend—another Millers Kill cop—hasn’t heard from him in two months. Russ jumps into investigative mode, both helped and hindered by his new position outside the system. His sleuthing reveals that, before Kevin disappeared, he’d been working undercover to infiltrate a militia group operating in Adirondack Park. Meanwhile, a forest ranger and a young lawyer embark on their own individual investigations that tie back to the same militia. Spencer-Fleming nimbly balances plot and characterization, fully developing each member of her large cast while ensuring things never get too busy. This long-running series continues to impress. (Nov.)