12 Rose Street by Gail Bowen

 

Joanna Kilborn and her husband Zack Shreve live in the city of Regina where Zack is running for mayor and Joanna is running his campaign and that of a close friend who is running for a seat on the City Council.  While it is unlikely that Zack can unseat the current mayor, the two feel that they need to try as the people in their community are underrepresented and poverty surrounds them.

But politics is not always a gentle game.  At the opening of  a community center Zack has headed up, a local real estate investor tells them he has heard rumors that a child will be kidnapped.  That doesn't happen, but the man is killed that night.  Joanna and Zack feel that his murder is connected to the story he told them.

As the campaign heats up, more incidents occur.  Joanna's family live close by and helping with her grandchildren is another big part of her life, as is the activities of her daughter still at home.  Joanna reconnects with an old friend but their friendship is tested by the revelation of an earlier betrayal.  The friend also starts seeing Zack's opponent and that tests the friendship as well. As the election approaches, more secrets emerge and more crimes occur.  Can Joanna keep her family together and solve the crimes?

Gail Bowen is a popular Canadian crime writer and this book is the fifteenth in the Joanna Kilborn series.  It is reminiscent of a Louise Penney novel as the main focus is on Joanna's family and friends and how crime impacts them.  The characters are finely drawn and much time is given to developing the relationships between Joanna and the other characters.  This book is recommended for mystery readers and those who want to experience a Canadian crime writer.