Broken Places

After taking a bullet in a tragic incident while on the Chicago PD, Cass Raines recovers, resigns, and sets up shop as a private detective. Two years later, she is successful but has unresolved issues with the incident and one of the officers involved. After her beloved mentor and a young man die in an apparent murder/suicide, Cass needs to learn the truth, calling on her former partner and others for help. Clark is preparing the stage for more entries in a series with her Chicago setting and characters that include members of the police department, Cass's long-lost father, and down-on-their-luck felons. There is nothing new about the plot, but the spirited Cass is a likable heroine in a genre that is slim on African American protagonists, especially women. The story line meanders a bit, but the ending will have listeners on the edge of their seats. Karen Chilton is excellent as the understated Cass.