Belfa Elkins is the prosecuting attorney in Acker's Gap, W. Va., as well as the protagonist in several of Keller's novels. When Darlene Strayer, a former classmate, asks Bell to investigate the death of her father at Thornapple Terrace, she does not take it seriously, even though there have been other recent deaths there. Isn't that what people do in nursing homes?
But then Darlene dies that very night while driving intoxicated on a snowy road. Again, there is nothing suspicious, although Darlene had not been drinking when Bell had left the bar with her.
Meanwhile Carla, Bell's 21-year-old daughter, returns home with a clearly serious problem she is not willing to disclose. Carla gets a temporary job, which takes her to, of all places, Thornapple Terrace.
Little by little developments happen and deductions are made until Bell discovers the truth about what really happened to Darlene's father. It turns out it all began way back in 1938. As for Carla, she uncovers another murder plot, after finally confessing her own crime.
Sorrow Road turns out to be a very fine mystery, full of interesting characters, occasional suspense and a conclusion a reader can believe. One wonders why Julia Keller is not a bigger name in the mystery field.
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