Bill O'Shea moved to a mountainside home in black bear country, in what’s proving to be anything but a quiet retirement. Fourth in the Wintergreen Mystery Series set in small-town Virginia, MURDER AT DAWN involves the former police officer in another case.

Kim Wiley, owner of the popular Café Devine set on a hill road, has struck up an unfortunate relationship with a woman whose out-of-town glamour dazzled her. The other woman, Lily Wolf, never intended anything lasting and has decided to leave. Kim is devastated. When Lily is discovered dead in her rented home overlooking the forest, Kim is an obvious suspect in spur-of-the-moment murder. Bill O’Shea has previously been called in as a consultant by the understaffed, under-experienced local police. He’s also a friend of Kim, which puts him in an awkward position.  Bill decides to prove there is another suspect, at least, although he currently has no idea who that might be.

The point of view jumps frequently among several characters, which can take some getting used to. The police officers in Wintergreen thus come across as interesting people, keen to learn their skills, have reliable family situations and avoid major crime cities. Hearing about their backgrounds and progress would have taken longer if we had to gain the information through conversations with Bill. As for our likable retiree, Bill glosses over the disadvantages of age. His knees don’t creak as he walks up the steep roads, and his back doesn’t give trouble as he puts down food for his dog. He keeps fit and so does most other folks around here, walking, playing golf and pickleball. An earlier book was set during a deep winter’s snow, but the town is now enjoying the warmth of summer.

The introduction of some exotic elements may liven up the series for those who’ve been following Bill’s work. The rest of us can jump in just as well with MURDER AT DAWN as anywhere because the major attribute is the setting – timbered slopes, prowling bears, turkey vultures and all. Patrick Kelly is lucky enough to live in the landscape he describes, and from the sound of it, he won’t run short of material. I enjoyed the read and would be keen to catch up on Bill O’Shea’s earlier adventures.