In this first entry in the Magnolia Parish Mystery series, the reader is presented with storylines involving two different marriages -- one a police detective trying desperately to keep an anniversary promise to his wife, and the other a man taking his wife and infant daughter on vacation to the very spot where he watched his father die in a violent accident 22 years earlier.

As might be expected, Detective Brandon Berger is prevented from keeping his promise to his spouse. A mysterious death and duty derail his plans and put his marriage in jeopardy. Meanwhile, tragedy again intrudes on the life of William Chandler with the result he's accused of murdering both his child and another man.

BJ Bourg presents these two storylines in alternating chapters until -- surprise, they converge in an unexpected and shocking conclusion.

A 25-year veteran of law enforcement, Bourg has the credentials to accurately depict a crime investigation. He's also a skilled writer who knows how to present a fast-paced, suspenseful story that compels the reader to keep flipping pages and wondering what's going to happen next. A native of Louisiana where this story is set, he's also the author of two other mystery series and many short stories.

Hollow Crib was actually the author's first book, originally published in 2016 by Five Star Publishing. He's since written and published numerous others, many of which I've read and enjoyed.

[ visit BJ Bourg's website ]