White Gold by Michael E. Jimerson

This complex mystery features justice and maybe some redemption. This is the first E.J. Kane mystery. Kane is a former Texas Ranger who left the DPS due to a scandal that is not completely revealed. Since it’s a series, I assume the events surrounding his leaving will be further explained.

The story is complex. The mystery takes several turns. I did not figure it out so was surprised by the ending twists. The other interesting part of the novel is the setting. Kane is head of security for a huge oil company. The author writes about the practices within the industry around oil wells. There is also a fascinating legal battle for control of the company. I’m not sure how plausible the situation is, but I found it possible, and it added depth to the story.

The writing is average. There were a lot of editing gaffs. Also, I found myself lost in some of the dialog and in some of the transitions. One thing the author took to heart was keeping his protagonist in trouble. Kane has a messed-up family and that’s another distraction for him while he’s trying to solve the mystery of the dead body found at an exploded well. I found the family issues a distraction as well, but some of them tie into the main story line.

The book is clean. No profanity. The one sex scene is all off page. The violence fits the story, so nothing gratuitous. I anticipate Jimerson’s writing will get better with each installment in the series. If you like complex, clean mysteries within an unusual setting, then this one is worth reading. I’ll rank it eighteenth. Don’t let that dissuade you as the seventeen ahead of it have all been very good reads.

1. Thunder and Rain by Charles Martin
2. Love’s True Calling by Lori DeJong
3. Through Thorny Ways by Jennifer Q. Hunt
4. Book of Days by James L. Rubart
5. The Seven Day Resurrection by Chevron Ross
6. With Mercy’s Eyes by D.T. Powell
7. Justice by Jeff Hill
8. Already in the Kudzu by Hannah Hood Lucero
9. The Last Wife by Matt McGregor
10. Loving the Rodeo Queen by Rebecca Reed
11. The Misadventures of Itchy Izzy by N.Y. Dunlap
12. Ranch Showdown by Tina Wheeler
13. The Unhired Hand by R.O. Lane
14. The Shocking Truth by Steve Rush
15. Daughter of Darkness by Ed Gorman
16. Burning Angel by James Lee Burke
17. Death in the Kremlin by E.J. Simon
18. White Gold by Michael E. Jimerson
19. Irresistible Impulse by Robert K. Tanenbaum
20. Line of Fire by Taylor S. Newport
21. The Longest Day by Terry Toler
22. Left to Die by Lisa Jackson

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