Trip Wire: A Cook County Mystery

It's Chicage, 1968, the summer of love. Cassandra Perry, early 20s, has moved out of her Aunt Ivy and Uncle Woody Lisle's place and into an integrated commune. Cassandra and the other members smoke lots of dope, listen to music (she enjoys Hendrix), and protest the Vietnam War. Their tight-knit, happy household is rocked when two members are found gruesomely murdered. Displaying anger and purpose, Cassandra resolves to expose their killer. She uncovers a possible police coverup and a militant black group aiding in the desertion of black soldiers. The commune members begin to suspect each other. Despite a somewhat slow start, once the narrative gains traction, events spill out at a satisfying pace. I liked the several surprising twists and Cassandra becomes a sympathetic, hip protagonist. This is a perceptive, intelligent read good for a few hours of engrossing pleasure.