A Fine Line

A FINE LINE is the fifth and final book in the Baxter Series by Kathy Herman. After reading all five, I would have to say HIGH STAKES and A FINE LINE were my favorites. I enjoyed the way these stories were built around real everyday issues. In A FINE LINE, Charlie Kirby deals with the temptation that could ruin his marriage. When Shelia Paxton, Thompson Tire Co.'s persuasive lawyer, dies suddenly in a drive by shooting, rumors fly regarding Charlie's relationship with her. He vehemently denies any involvement with her, though he knows he is far from innocent. And as Ellen Jones, Baxter's newspaper editor, sees an even deeper story in Shelia's sudden death, she has no idea the dangerous Pandora's box she has opened when she decided to investigate. A FINE LINE swings from Charlie's agonizing guilt over his unfaithfulness to Ellen's realization that she is in over her head in her investigation of Sheila Paxton's death. I enjoyed the suspense and the honesty in dealing with sin and forgiveness. I recommend the series as a whole.

Baxter's city council voted to let Thompson Tire Corporation build a plant in town. Most of the residents were glad about it. Some were not. Sheila Paxton was the company's lawyer. Sheila made a move on Charlie Kirby, Baxter's mayor, even though she knew he was happily married and had seven kids. Charlie seriously considered it, was very tempted, and refused the offer. When Sheila suddenly died, dark rumors spread of an affair between Charlie and Sheila. Charlie's marriage became threatened and the small town was heavy with gossip. Worse, Sheila was part of the Witness Protection Program. A killer from her past was interested in finding her parents. Since Sheila (a.k.a. Mary Angelina Risotto) died in Baxter, that was where he went. The lives of Charlie and Ellen Jones, the editor of the town's paper, were about to become nightmares! ***** This is the last book in the Baxter series. I did not read the first four, but it does not matter. The story was able to stand alone. I was never confused or felt that I was missing anything. I love books of a series that manage to please no matter in what order they are read.The story is filled with the warmth of a small town where everyone knows each other. That could be a good thing! However, the author shows that there are times that it could be a problem as well. There is a lot of suspense with all the mob, FBI, and local police involvement. The story also focuses on family matters, as well as, their faith in God. A wonderful story that will keep you hooked! Recommended! *****

The city council led by mayor Charlie Kirby voted to allow the Thompson Tire Company to relocate to Barter, which means more jobs for the resident. Not everyone is in favor of the plant being built. Some residents fear that the new business will destroy the ambiance of the town and in turn the downtown shops. Charlie's most vocal enemy Avery Stedman starts a rumor that the reason the mayor pushed for the plant to be built was because he was having an affair with Thompson Tires attorney Sheila Paxton.The rumor threatens to destroy the Kirby marriage. When Sheila is shot, her picture is plastered in newspapers across the country and comes to the attention of a Mafia hit man, searching for her father for eighteen years. He is a deadly sociopath who kills with no remorse and threatens to harm the town's newspaper editor if she doesn't locate Sheila's father who is in the witness protection program. It will take a miracle to save the Kirby's marriage and keep the editor safe after a trap to catch killer fails.This is the last book in the Baxter series and it is a powerful story filled with characters readers have come to love and cherish. Two of the main characters of this series are traveling to a new town and will be starring in The Seaport series so the audience won't lose touch with Guy and Ellen. A FINE LINE shows how gossip can hurt people and push people to the breaking point. Kathy Baxter is a master at writing suspense within the parameters of a small town drama.Harriet Klausner