A Grave Matter

A cryptic phone call leads to corruption at the highest level. A cemetery is a peaceful place… usually. But a cryptic phone call leads P.I. Spencer Manning to a cemetery that appears to be anything but peaceful Spencer investigates a growing number of people who have disappeared and a graveyard where the bodies may not match the names on the markers If Spencer can find a connection between these two mysteries, it could expose a scandal that reaches higher than anyone could imagine Unfortunately, the only way to solve this puzzle is to set a trap with himself as bait.

—Caleb and Linda Pirtle

Writers can’t fake understanding the foibles and strengths of their characters. Nor can they pretend to know an area of our country when they really have no personal knowledge. Rick Polad knows people, and clearly he knows the Chicago environs. It is a pleasure to get acquainted with his characters and fun to watch them develop through the series. How can we not become invested in Spencer Manning? He is our friend, maybe even a member of our family, and we wish we could enjoy a pizza at Gino’s with him as we ply him with our questions and concerns for his safety.

—Martha W. Hutson

As the latest installment of the Spencer Manning Mysteries, it connected with my emotions on every level. The character development and interactions are so well-done with a few uncharacteristic turns from the previous books—and for good reason! The plot kept me glued to my Kindle, though I wanted to shake some sense into Spencer on numerous occasions. This case truly tops them all, and the danger involved with it really worried me that this would be his last case. If you’re not familiar with the city, the scenery is so well-described that it’s easy to place yourself in the middle of it all.

—Karen Bedore

The story is great and, as always, Rick’s characters are richly developed and relatable, evoking strong feelings from the reader towards them. That’s probably the main reason that I have a hard time putting Rick’s books down and usually read them straight through. I can’t wait to find out what happens to them next. I also love that his stories are set in the Chicago area (this one in Elgin in the Fox River Valley) as I can visualize his characters in their world as I’m from the region. If you’re not a Chicagoan, Rick does a great job of capturing the flavor of the area in his writing.

—Thomas O. Schrader, an Amazon reader