Blood Rose: A Clare Hart Mystery by Margie Orford

After four young boys have been killed and it appears there may be a serial killer at Walvis Bay, Dr. Clare Hart, a police profiler, is brought in to investigate.  In a town of squalor and transients, it can be hard to find anyone who cares.  The victims were orphans, most had AIDS, and no one kept track of them.  Those who don't have power or money are ignored.  These victims gave folks a sense of relief when they were removed from the living.  That makes it hard to find a common denominator.  Who killed them and why?

Witness Impulse and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity read this book for review (thank you).  It goes on sale May 13th, so make a note to pick it up then.

Clare has more than one concern.  Just before she left on this assignment, she finds out that her lover's wife is coming back.  He's not divorced yet and she takes his silence about the return as an indication he may be thinking of trying again with his wife.  After all, they have a child he loves very much.  She tells him to get out, packs up and heads out.  She's determined to do her job and work with him when she needs to but he's no longer her love interest.  At least, that's what she tells herself.

This was a strange little tale.  A special unit during the war had hidden/disposed of weapons in various places.  This desert had been one of them.  Faces from the past mix with faces in the present and death seems to come from all sides.  No one works in Special Services because they're nice people.  

Clare keeps talking to people picking up pieces of the puzzle but she can't make sense of it.  When she does, it's almost too late.  She comes very close to dying herself.

I like to read about other countries, Africa especially.  Africa has lots of different ethnic groups, lots of white immigrants, land of every variety, and the atmosphere of a land that is older than time.  This book conveys that message as you follow Clare and her investigation.  I learned a bit more about a land I've never visited, and the story was good.  This read keeps your attention.  I'll be watching for more about Clare.