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The Vermont ski resort of Tucker Peak has struggled financially for several years. Competition is fierce during the winter season and the staff is overworked and underpaid. The new managers are hoping that the new nightclub and the renovations will help booster sales and increase room reservations. Unfortunately, that is not the case. The Tucker Protection League, a local environmentalist group, has picketed the vacation spot for the last several weeks claiming the lodge is endangering the local ecosystem with the siphoned water used to make snow. Another problem plaguing this place is a string of robberies in rich peopleís homes near the resort. The local police are doing what they can but they are spread too thin covering the protest. The Vermont Bureau of Investigation is called in for assistance and gets involved in the case. At first, what was a simple robbery case turns out to be something more sinister. Joe Gunther and Sammie Martens will work undercover at Tucker Peak to follow the trail. What they uncover will threaten the future of Tucker Peak. Archer Mayor brings back his everyman law enforcement character of Joe Gunther to try to make sense of the problems plaguing this small town. Working undercover as a carpenter, he uncovers a rash of sabotage that almost killed a patron and undermined the management at Tucker Peak. Complicating matters is the presence of private investigator Win Johnston. Joe knows Win as a straight shooter and knows that he will not do anything to jeopardize the police operation or their working relationship. If Johnston is investigating someone, then there is something else going on. The detective will not break confidentiality but is keeping his eyes peeled for any unusual activities. Everyone is concerned with covering their behinds trying to avoid any unwanted publicity that they do not want to learn the truth. Someone wants to close Tucker Peak for good and will go through any measure to do it. Once the truth is revealed, nothing will ever be the same. Archer Mayor returns doing what he does best by writing an ordinary police procedural and making it extraordinary. He writes a good story with characters the author knows inside and out and gives them free reign in what they do. Every aspect in the book is carefully researched with showing us the ins and out of a posh winter resort. There is more to it than jocks, ski bunnies and Jacuzzis and Mayor shows a different side at the Tucker Peak lodge. Except for one farfetched, superhuman feat performed by Joe Gunther; the plot is close to perfect. Every part of the story has a purpose and its relevance is shown. The twist and turns are well done and the unexpected plot turn enhances what is already a great book. Tucker Peak is another winner in the Archer Mayor collection that just keeps getting better and better. One thing that makes this series special is that it is unnecessary to read any of the previous novels to understand the character development and dynamics. Everyone is introduced flawlessly into the storyline giving readers the opportunity to meet the series regulars. With over a dozen books under his belt, Archer Mayor is still a force to be reckoned with in mystery fiction. It is unfortunate that there are people who have not read any of his novels. Just try one and you will see what everyone is talking about. If his books do not hook you, nothing will.
Reviewed by Angel L. Soto, January 2003
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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