Matters of Doubt

This first book of a new series starts with likeable characters who are conscience driven by suicides of their loved ones. Their back stories are skillfully woven into the fabric of the plot. We gradually learn about how to set up and paint a mural on a building. The end of the book sets up the premise for the series. The mystery was not obvious, so it was enticing to figure it out. I also enjoyed the Portland setting. He had my interest immediately, when two of the characters meet across the street from Powell's bookstore, and the continuing interest in Portland restaurants and food was a good side light.

This book started an interesting new investigative mystery series and I'm looking forward to the next one. MATTERS OF DOUBT was a solid, multi-stranded mystery with a part-time fly-fishing, small town lawyer at the center of an investigation that drags him into the underworld of homeless kids in Portland, Oregon. There were a number of turns and twists, and I completely enjoyed myself for the 2 days it took for me to read this book. I would recommend it to everyone! This is not a "cozy" mystery - there are hard questions asked about homelessness and abused kids - but it is not gratuitously violent either.

Promising new series with a sharp, likeable protagonist. I'm looking forward to the next one.