The Dark Root

Number six in the Joe Gunther series which takes place in Vermont. This episode involves Asian immigrants, some of whom have established interesting networks of criminal activity. The author goes to a great deal of trouble to remind the reader that most Asian immigrants are law-abiding, industrious people, and the p-c pronouncements can be aggravating, although I can see why they are there. About half-way through the book, they fall away and the real action begins.

Initially, the Brattleboro police are stumped by a culture of silence among victims and criminals alike. But perseverence, and cooperation among various agencies, the FBI and the RCMP pays off in the end. While not my top pick of this series, it was a satisfying read.

This exciting thriller has Joe Gunther and his small town cops trying to cope with an invasion of Asian gangsters. Gunther has to persuade several law enforcement agencies, including Canadian ones, to work together in a task force to solve this case. This of course leads to more geography to cover and places to describe, including Montreal. I am convinced that Mayor has walked through every place where he sets a scene, even if the place is an obscure office building in the middle of nowhere. I was disappointed that Mayor had Gunther behaving as a consummate professional for the bulk of the story only at the end to act like an amateur so he can get involved in the final confrontation with the story's villains.

Again, a solid entry into the world of Brattleboro (and beyond). This time Joe Gunther have to collaborate with federal agencies and Canada to stop cross-border smuggeling of drugs and people.

I recommend listening to the audiobooks. The narrator is doing a really good job.

Asian thugs are invading Vermont and Brattleboro. Pipeline of bad guys from Montreal through Vermont. Many come from the west coast of the US. Most are Chinese but many from Viet Nam and other Asian countries.
After several deaths in Brattleboro Joe Gunther is instrumental in developing a task force in the US to shut down the Asians. Also works with the Canadians - border police as well as the Mounties.
Exciting book.