By Harry Dolan

Amy Einhorn books/Putnam, $25.95, 412 pages

After receiving a manuscript with the words, “I Killed Harry Kormoran” at his work, mystery editor David Logan is plunged into a series of murders that his girlfriend, Detective Elizabeth Waishkey, is investigating. Helping with her investigation, they work on unraveling a tenuous connection between the murder victims and a group of people attached to a bank robbery that occurred nearly twenty years ago. The closer they get to answers, the closer they are to danger when the murderer turns his sights on them.

Very Bad Men is a great novel by author Harry Dolan. He skillfully creates steady tension throughout the book as the characters play out the cat-and-mouse scenario that is set up. The plot is well-paced and holds the reader’s attention till the very end. The characters are also well developed, interesting and relatable. The setting, too, lends itself to an interesting array of side characters and issues that come into play in the plot, as well.  Fans of mystery will appreciate and enjoy this second installment of the series.

Reviewed by Barbara Cothern