The death of a child is always tragic, but even more so if a family member is involved. When police find the body of 4- year-old Jeffrey Reimer in a local park, his older brother, Christopher, comes forward and claims that his teenaged sister killed the boy. Now Shannon Reimer is missing, possibly on the run, but her parents seem more interested in protecting themselves than in the welfare of their remaining children. They immediately call their lawyer when constables show up at the door, and he interferes at every possible opportunity. Officers Ashlyn Hart and Tain (who goes by only the one name) find themselves facing roadblocks at every turn as they attempt to discern the truth about what happened to Jeffrey Reimer. Then a ransom demand comes in for Shannon, and the stakes become even higher.

Meanwhile, Constable Craig Nolan is involved in a family- oriented case, as well. Donny Lockridge, who allegedly killed young Hope Harrington and has been in prison for years, is up for parole and filing a lawsuit for a wrongful conviction. One of the officers involved in the case was Craig's father, Steve Daly. At first Craig resents having to review old files, especially since he and his father share a tenuous connection. But after a break-in at his father's house and another shortly afterward at Hope's mother's home, he starts to realize that this cold case is becoming hot. His growing obsession, along with a female reporter who begins trailing him, begins to affect his relationship with Ashlyn. As the two of them struggle to balance their personal and professional lives, it begins to seem like a hopeless situation.

Sandra Ruttan serves up two involving mysteries, spiced with complex personal and professional relationships. The connection among Ashlyn, Tain, and Craig keeps the two stories from becoming too distanced from each other, while they are still "stand alone" cases that are equally urgent. There's also a bit of a turn in the officers' personal lives at the end that will leave readers eager to know what comes next. THE FRAILTY OF FLESH is a great second novel featuring Canadian Constables Nolan, Hart and Tain.