Three Time Settings, Three Identical Mysterious Deaths of Young Women

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Julia Fletcher-Fleming is back with her ninth book in the Clare Ferguson / Russ Van Alstyne mystery series.
The time setting alternates between the month of August in 1952, 1972 and “present day” which I estimate to be 2004. The Washington County Fair is just beginning, the carnival is setting up in each of the three time frames and the dead body of a pretty young woman is found on the same rural road near Miller’s Kill. In all three cases her underwear, shoes, stockings and purse are missing. The police were unable to determine cause of death in 1952 or 1972 and Russ Van Alstyne and the Miller’s Kill Police Department are facing the same dilemma with the third victim. They are hoping that more advanced forensic testing in the present day will assist them in solving the most recent mysterious death and perhaps make connections with the 1952 and 1972 deaths.
Russ and his police department are short staffed and facing a November town referendum that will determine whether Miller’s Kill will continue to have a local police force or if the State Police will assume all protection responsibilities for the community. Nevertheless, the need to investigate and determine the woman’s cause of death and learn if or how the three deaths over 54 years are connected. The final solution is cleverly developed and the guilty parties and the reason for the murders was a surprise to me.
It was wonderful to discover that Russ has overcome his misgivings about fatherhood during Clare’s pregnancy and is a loving father to their infant son, Ethan. Clare is a caring mother and is overwhelmed with her pastoral responsibilities and lack of sleep as she is awakened during the night to nurse Ethan. Her demons continue to pursue her. In spite of the stress, she is able to assist Russ in discovering whodunit.
I have read the first eight books in the series two times because I love the characters, the great plots and the author’s wonderful writing style. I am thrilled to have been selected to read and review the Advance Reader’s Edition of Hid From Our Eyes and loved this book as much as the others. Now I can’t wait for the tenth book to be published.