Shooting in the Dark by John Baker is the fifth book in one of my favourite series. A band of misfits have joined together and formed almost a family while they work as private investigators. In this outing they are helping the two Falco sisters who claim that someone is following them, watching their every move. Sam Turner, the leader and erstwhile father figure, is quite taken with Angeles Falco who is exotically beautiful and blind. When the other Falco sister, Isabel, goes missing and then is found brutally murdered, the group realizes they are pitched against a intelligent, serious murderer whose motive remains hidden.

Sam believes the answer lies in finding out why the sisters are targets. The story ramps up as they are battling both time and this mysterious killer, who appears to be driven by revenge and practically unstoppable. The plot moves along at a fast pace and builds to a exciting finale.

These books are full of action and are page turners but for me the main draw is the characters that I have gotten to know and like to keep current with. Along with Sam’s infatuation with Angeles, another storyline concerns young Geordie and his street-smart beyond her years mate, Janet, as they adapt to being new parents and having Geordie’s long absent brother show up on their doorstep. This is a group of people who work together, care about each other and are always there to cover each other’s back. The author writes about dark crime but his characters are so full of heart that these books are a joy to read. ( )

Read several reviews on my blog.