The Invisible Guardian by Dolores Redondo

This is new series called the Baztan Trilogy that was originally published in Spain.  It's the story of woman police officer who has a past she has hidden from her business colleagues and her husband.  Now she's investigating murders that are ritualistic and some try to blame the basajaun.  According to Wikipedia, "In Basque mythology, Basajaun (plural: basajaunak) is a huge, hairy hominid dwelling in the woods." That sounds a bit like our Bigfoot rumored to be up north.

Atria Books sent me an ARC of this book to read for review (thank you).  It has been published, so you can get a copy now.

Amaia is a good cop.  She listens to the rumors and even thinks she might have seen a basajaun in the woods but she doesn't think he's the killer.  When she finds that the flour that is in the cakes that are left on the girl's pubic mound is used by her sister's bakery shop, she is suddenly faced with the fact that her family may have some connection to these crimes.

As we go through the investigation, Amaia is brought back to old memories from the past and she begins having nightmares.  She's also not willing to become pregnant right now.  Her husband is afraid he may be losing her. Eventually the story of her mother trying to kill her comes to light.  Her husband and her sisters are astounded. 

There are a lot of family dynamics going on in this story.  There's myth and reality, they read taro cards, and Amaia works hard on the case.  I never imagined who the killer was.  I also was amazed by the ending.  These characters have a lot to recover from after the killer is identified.  I'm sure the next book will give us more insight on family relationships and Amaia's marriage.  I can't wait to read her next case.