Casey Bannister, a retired NYPD detective, misses the force and his wife, Rachel. It is very hard to even talk about Rachel; the pain is still so visible. He never forgot how she had fallen in love with the Sommerville place, and he had made sure to get it for her. Unfortunately, the cancer killed her before she could enjoy their new home. Now he stays to himself, away from town, until an old boss arrives on his doorstep. Lieutenant John Baker tells Casey there is an opening for detective sergeant but Casey doesn’t know if he wishes to leave his safe haven. Then an unusual murder draws him into the search for a killer. Since handling homicides in the past, Casey knows this is no usual murder, and he decides to take a look for himself. In no time, he learns the town of Greenberg has way too many secrets. The town’s sheriff doesn’t believe that their peaceful town could ever harbor a serial killer.

Shannon Danzinger knows Casey. She saw him again at Rachel’s funeral and offered condolences. He and Shannon had sort of leaned into an affair, never meaning to hurt Rachel, and Casey hadn’t forgotten it. Shannon had moved on with her life, finding someone else, never forgiving herself for the affair. Now, after seeing Shannon again, Casey doesn’t wish to open old wounds. For now, they must concentrate on solving the crime at hand and stop the killer before another murder is committed as Casey tries to walk away from memories of the past.

Try and Catch the Wind is a drama unfolding around a man trying to fit back into society. Casey is strong, yet shows his vulnerability after losing someone he deeply loved. I could feel the emotional compassion and warmth when Shannon stepped back into his life. The two share some gentle moments that stand out in this rousing mystery. With great police action and fast-paced dialogue, there are many twists and turns that make this a page-turner. Mr. Murphy crafts a great plot, some bad guys, along with other well-rounded characters, that keep the suspense churning. He weaves a clever storyline and creates a town that appears realistic within an entertaining and intriguing read. I look forward to reading more of his stories.

Reviewed by: Linda L.