Even the fresh air, blizzards, high mountain pastures and smaller population of Montana can't drag Jon Jackson's Detroit detective sergeant Fang Mulheisen into a sunnier psychological place. Mulheisen is noted for moody introspection, and Jackson frequently writes a dark, gritty, even nasty story. The detective has to deal with the underbelly of society, the place where dwell the mobsters and some of the nastier killers and thieves. In this one, Mulheisen is still trying to root out the killers of one of the more despicable mob bosses who deserved to die, but the law's the law, killers have to be located and arrested, and months after the bloody shooting, that's still Mulheisen's job.

Winter in cities like Chicago and Detroit is frequently a mess and this one is no different. When Mulheisen gets a lead on Carmine's killer, he's almost eager to fly off to Butte, even if there are a number of intermediate stops. Followers of this series will remember that flying rates very low on Mulheisen's list of pleasures.

Word is that the man shot in the head, unidentified and still hanging on to life in a Butte, Montana, hospital may be involved in Carmine's death. There are small things that tie the man to Detroit. Could this fellow be the killer Mulheisen seeks? But if so, who shot the shooter? It's a complicated story, peopled with quirky characters, terrific scenery, strong writing and Jackson's moody, dark style. A good story with a bang-up climax and a somewhat surprising ending. Another strong craftsmanlike performance.