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Dead Dry
Hardcover edition 2005, St. Martin's Minotaur, New York
Mass market paperback edition 2006, St. Martin's Paperbacks, New York
 Book
Description
For Em Hansen, things couldn't be better professionally and personally.
She's got a full-time gig with the Utah Geological Survey; she's the go-to
forensic geologist for state law enforcement, and a long-simmering acquaintance
with a handsome pilot is turning into more than friendship.
But when she's called in to investigate how a massive quarry wall collapsed,
she's shocked to discover that the viciously mutilated body that was trapped
beneath belongs to none other than Em's old colleague, Afton McWain, an
oil tycoon turned controversial geological consultant. It doesn't take
much digging for Em to uncover a deluge of motives for Afton's murder,
from his scandalous "three's company" private life to his one-man investigation
into a mysterious water shortage and a billion-dollar real estate fraud.
And with adversaries as treacherous as a sudden canyon flood, Em also
must employ her cutting-edge skills to explore the dark territory of the
heart, where love and loyalty are the most deadly mirages of all...
Read details on the writing of
Dead Dry.
Publishers Weekly
"When a corpse with its fingerprints removed is found crushed under
a gravel-pile avalanche, Em Hansen gets on the case in Andrews's 10th
mystery to feature the Utah forensic geologist (after 2004's Earth
Colors). An unmistakable tattoo allows Em to identify the victim
as Afton McWain, but what was the eccentric Colorado environmental activist
doing in Salt Lake? Em hitches a ride with Fritz Calder, a charter-plane
pilot friend, to Colorado, where McWain's ex-wife and current live-in
"nature girl" reside. No love is lost between the suspicious pair, who
both consider themselves heir to McWain's off-the-grid ranch, which is
surrounded by hungry developers whose financial interests don't mesh with
his findings about water availability in this drought-stricken region.
As Em and Fritz weather their way through missed romantic signals, ominous
clouds gather over the ranch, where Em collects evidence. Andrews may
wander from scientific dissertations to romantic reveries and inadequately
fleshed-out subplots, but fans of information-packed suspense should be
satisfied."
(Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.)
Booklist
"Readers will enjoy digging into Andrews' latest entry in the Em
Hansen series, which finds the spunky geologist helping police investigate
the death of an acquaintance crushed beneath a load of gravel. Before
coming to Salt Lake City and taking a job with the Utah Geological Survey,
Em had worked with the victim, a prominent geologist named Afton McWain.
Solving the crime means Em must work closely with her former boyfriend,
Detective Tom "Ray" Raymond, who has plenty of unresolved feelings for
Em. Complicating her love life further is Fritz, a handsome pilot with
whom friendship is beginning to turn into something more. Although some
of Em's lengthier monologues on geological phenomena might cause readers'
eyes to glaze over, Andrews, herself a geologist, does impart some interesting
information about Earth, particularly concerning ground water, which just
might provide a motive for Afton's death. Working with Em to solve the
case is feisty police detective Michele Aldrich; the relationship between
these two strong, smart women is a highlight of the story. Another engaging
chapter in a rock-solid series.
—Jenny McLarin
(Copyright © American Library Association.)
Dallas Morning News
"Compelling."
Rocky Mountain News
“Fans of this series will find plenty to like in Dead Dry,
and any mystery reader who enjoys the lovely rocks of Colorado will, too.”
Thebestreviews.com
“A terrific who-done-it…fans will appreciate Em’s latest digging in the
dirt gem.”
Iloveamysterynewsletter.com
“Filled with moments of suspense and twists and turns that will leave
readers stuck to their seats…the characters are engaging, and they are
the sort of people you would like to meet again.”
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