After two crime novels of the police procedural sub genre (COLD FURY  and THE DAUGHTER) I was ready to bring a sexual predator back to Hawthorn County, one obsessed with copying crimes he finds detailed on internet serial killer tribute sites. JOURNEY MAN is a story about a narcissist who is most concerned with building an image to be celebrated and admired for his cleverness.

 

He comes to the Ozarks intent on finishing the work of a man who Richard knows well.

 

In this story I also wanted to bring home an important fact about PTSD. It is not limited to military service. Neither is it an exclusively male affliction.

 

Continuing my preference for strong female characters, I bring a new deputy to the department: Cicely "Kit" Kittredge. She will play a continuing role in the series.