Murder in Blue hits it out of the park

Author Mike Avery hits a game-winning homer with Murder in Blue, the tale of a major league umpire's death, and an investigation that puts Boston attorney Susan Sorella in the crosshairs of bad guys on both sides of the law.

Baseball umpires come in for their share of abuse, and any baseball fan has likely heard someone, if not themselves, shout "Kill the umpire" during a game. Martin Butler does it in a bar in front of witnesses and finds himself accused of murder when umpire John Monroe is shot to death near his hotel. Later, the murder weapon is discovered in Butler's garage.

Sorella takes the case. The accused is a financial analyst and a solid citizen, making her think Butler has been framed. Later, he is stabbed while in jail, leaving him in critical condition.

From that point, Sorella makes it her mission to uncover the truth, enlisting the help of a sympathetic mob boss to track down the killer. The clues start to fall in place, but not without great peril. As she walks a tightrope between the law and lawlessness, the book speeds to an ending that will surprise readers with its unusual twist.

The book is impressive for its realistic characters whose actions and conversations ring true. Sorella is a compelling character. She pursues the truth with grit and determination but has doubts and fears. She's a brave person but no superhero. That she's not larger than life is refreshing.

 I also enjoyed Frank Romano, the mobster with a heart of gold, who helps Sorella in her investigation. He's a tough, wily criminal with his own code of justice. I knew him better than the main character. He seems more complete and nuanced than Sorella. That's an imbalance in the weight of the characters. However, this is a minor complaint.

Avery is an attorney, and his knowledge of the legal system makes the book resonate with authority. His command of the law and his spare, energetic writing make for delightful reading. Avery's characters are easy to remember, and the narrative moves logically from point to point.

I rate this book four stars and recommend it to readers who enjoy mysteries and thrillers. Avery has created a memorable character in the tradition of Robert B. Parker, who brought us Spenser, Jesse Stone, and Sunny Randall. The book is Avery's second in the Susan Sorella mystery series, with the first being The Cooperating Witness. I have yet to read it, but it's definitely on my priority list.

https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/murder-in-blue-mike-avery#review