Never Kill a Friend

Sharp, tough heroine Shelley Krieg drives the plot of this fast-paced mystery.

Martin Hill’s nuanced third mystery novel features Washington Metro Police detective Shelley Krieg. In Never Kill a Friend, an unusually gruesome murder forces her to operate outside the boundaries of police protocol.

An African-American “giantess,” Shelley measures over six feet tall. Her physical presence, sharp mind, and well-honed detective skills command the respect of her predominately white male colleagues. After charging a confused teenager with the bizarre murder of his half-brother, her interest in the case devolves into a confusing struggle to discover the truth. That same night, she wakes from a deep, groggy sleep to find that intruders have left in her bedroom a graphic reminder of the first murder. Trusting only her erstwhile friend and forensics expert, Mira, she begins their rogue investigation.

Shelley still lives in her childhood home in a run-down DC neighborhood. Her police colleagues feel unsafe in the area, but she confidently searches for a homeless man, possibly the next victim, in the crumbling Evarts Street African Methodist Episcopal Church. With characteristic attention to detail, she notes that darkness envelops the church at nightfall because the streetlights haven’t been adjusted to the change in daylight savings time. A brief historical passage adds further interest: “Constructed as a Quaker meeting house in the 1850s, it was commandeered by the military and transformed into a recovery hospital during the Civil War.”

The intruders to Shelley’s house had drugged her, so she wakes up with no memory of the incident. Her repeated attempts to recall what happened increase the suspense as she continues to encounter obstacles in her investigation.

Martin Hill writes with an awareness that brings emotional depth to the interactions of his characters in this well-told mystery. While maintaining the fast pace of a detective caper, thoughtful passages describe Shelley’s childhood, her loyalty to her heritage, and her struggles to adapt as a black female to a tough urban police force. The surprising conclusion leaves unresolved issues that might promise a sequel.

Those who enjoy suspenseful mysteries will be well entertained by Never Kill a Friend.

Reviewed by Margaret Cullison

Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Load Next Review