"Nobody Lives Forever"

"Nobody Lives Forever" is Edna Buchanan's first novel and third book.  She was a crime reporter for the Miami Herald and has used her career covering violent deaths to write a very interesting mystery.  From the beginning we pretty much know who the killer is so the mystery is how three close-knit detectives working as a team are going to uncover this killer.

Homicide Detective Rich Barrish has two partners - Jim Ransom is a veteran cop who is embittered by his wife divorcing him before he can retire and run off into the sunset with her.  He thought he had time to win her back until his married daughter informs him his ex-wife has remarried.

Their junior partner is Patrol Office Mary Ellen "Dusty" Dustin who was previously Rick's lover until he fell for Laura, a young woman he stopped for speeding who then captured his heart, his home, and his bed.  This is not Dusty's first ill-fated romance but she's managed to keep her past life a mystery from her partners.

When the novel begins, Rick has asked Rob Thorne, a young high school neighbor of his (who wants to be a cop), to keep an eye on Laura while Rick works his usual night shift.  Laura is fearful of what might happen when she's alone at night.  When Rob sees what he believes is a prowler outside Rick's house, he goes to investigate and is shot to death.  This is the first of a series of murders all committed with the same gun.

When the investigation ends with a satisfactory arrest, it is not without its cost in lives and friendships.  I'm hooked -- I'm looking for another Edna Buchanan book!  pazt