Publisher's Weekly Review
In Flora's middling third Joe Burgess mystery (after 2008's The Angel of Knowlton Park), the Portland, Maine, homicide detective investigates the suspicious death of a troubled friend, Reginald Libby (aka Reggie the Can Man), whose body two young boys find near a wharf. Reggie, who was a former classmate of Burgess and a comrade in Vietnam, never fully recovered from the war. Survivors with possible clues to his fate include Reggie's bitter ex-wife, Claire; his spoiled and abusive son, Joey; and his addled lover, Maura O'Brien. Threatening letters from Reggie's weird cousin, Star Goodall, and hints of a part-time factory job Reggie was secretive about give Burgess more to ponder. Flora, besides belaboring the public's poor understanding and opinion of cops, adds much extraneous drama (e.g., an almost grown son the father is unaware of) that weakens an already angst-filled story. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
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Booklist Review
When Detective Sergeant Joe Burgess, of the Portland (Maine) Police Department, finds his friend Reggie Libby drowned in the harbor, he is determined to bring the killer to justice. Reggie, a Vietnam vet who was mentally ill and had fallen on hard times, had apparently started a new job recently. Joe and his colleagues work to determine his place of employment and his movements before his death by interviewing Reggie's fellow street people and his relatives, including his vindictive former wife and indifferent son. On the home front, Joe's live-in girlfriend wants to adopt two foster children, and Joe doesn't feel ready to be a parent. As always, Joe immerses himself in his case, causing problems in his personal life. Framed by the challenges street people face in large cities, this compelling, fast-paced police procedural offers a complex plot, rich with details of conducting a murder investigation and insight into the rigors of the cop's life.--O'Brien, Sue Copyright 2010 Booklist
Library Journal Review
Det. Joe Burgess of Portland, ME, struggles with Vietnam War memories when his latest case involves a dead vet. The third entry (after The Angel of Knowlton Park) in a gritty procedural series that has received starred LJ reviews. [See Prepub Alert, 11/11/11.] (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.