When a highway construction crew discovers two skeletons in a shared grave, Florida state prosecutor Claire Talbot is assigned the case. With her reputation as a ruthless prosecutor and thorough investigator, Claire is not well- liked by some of her colleagues. Nevertheless, no one can deny her strong tactics produce results. Claire soon finds she will need all that strength and intelligence as her investigation leads to a series of unsolved abductions dating back to the 1970s.

Marc Hastings, a retired detective who worked those earlier abduction cases, contacts Claire to provide his expertise. Not only is he knowledgeable of everything she is researching, but Marc seems excessively familiar with Claire's behavior. How can he know so much about her when they have never met before? Or have they? His unusual and cryptic responses have Claire continually on edge, especially as more graves are uncovered. When catastrophe strikes, Claire has to believe what Marc has known all along -- and the secret uncovered will be devastating.

I found TIME OF DEPARTURE to be a tautly developed crime thriller by debut author Douglas Schofield. With an exciting and intricate plot, TIME OF DEPARTURE is filled with many surprising elements and intriguing characters. As the relationship between Claire and Marc develops, the reader discerns that Marc's connection to the case is something Claire will find hard to believe. The reality Claire eventually comes to accept also means she has some life-altering decisions to make about her past and her future. I am always looking for new authors in the thriller genre, and I am very impressed with Douglas Schofield's skillful writing. TIME OF DEPARTURE is spellbinding reading, which has me anticipating this author's next novel.