A Flower in the Desert: A Joshua Croft Mystery

This was a novel of discovery for me--my first Walter Satterthwait Joshua Croft mystery. This is a seamless novel: character is fleshed out by action and dialogue; the plots are intricate, complex, and interwoven. The result is a believable story with an authentic main character, Joshua Croft. The setting is strong with a contrast between the urban sprawl and smog of LA with the clear skies and tight communities of Sante Fe and other New Mexican cities. At times, it seemed as if Sante Fe was a character that goaded other characters into action. As improbable as they are--sexual child abuse, murder, assassins from Central America, shadowy American government officials, and illegal aliens, are handled deftly by Satterthwait. The mysteries are sustained right up to the end of the book, which again speaks to the author's skill to keep the reader engaged. Do not start reading this book late at night as you wil be up all night.