See How They Fall

Attorney Paris debuts with a wobbly blend of police procedural and domestic suspense centered on Australian artist Skye, who gets more than she bargained for when she marries into the powerful Turner family. In recent months, Skye has struggled to enjoy her idyllic existence with her devoted husband, Duncan, and their daughter, Tilly. Then Duncan’s father, Sir Campbell Turner, dies, and the Turners are called to Yallambee, the family estate, to discuss who gets control of the clan’s luxury goods empire. Predictable tensions erupt at the dinner Skye and Duncan share with Jamie, Duncan’s controlling older brother, and Cody, Duncan’s illegitimate son. Someone is killed soon afterward, and police sergeant Mei O’Connor is called in to investigate. It rapidly becomes clear to Mei that her superiors are intent on a cover-up. Paris paints her villains with gleefully broad strokes, but even devoted mystery readers may find themselves wishing for more nuance. Others may tire of typecasting that paints the men as manipulative bullies and the women as hyperemotional victims. This limp thriller mostly dissipates on impact. Agent: Sarah Brooks, Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand. (Apr.)