When a man, shot with arrows, is found hanging from a tree in the woods outside the Ontario town of Dockerty, the case falls first to the Ontario Provincial Police and then to Metro Homicide. Police Chief Orwell Brennan unofficially inserts himself into the investigation, which involves murder and a large sum of missing money. VERDICT Take nothing for granted in this smoothly written series debut from Edgar finalist Strange (Body Blows), who springs out several surprises. Fans of Giles Blunt and Louise Penny may enjoy.

This excellent first in a new series from Edgar-finalist Strange (Body Blows) pits a formidable Canadian police chief, Orwell Brennan, against clever criminals and rival law enforcement agencies. While trying to justify the existence of an independent police force for rural Dockerty, Ont., Brennan becomes involved in the case of a man found pinned to a tree by two arrows through the belly. The Toronto police soon conclude their investigation, but Brennan—sharply observant despite his slovenly rube appearance—patiently persists in unpeeling the mystery. Flashbacks reveal how an armored car robbery and a series of murders led to this crime and are still causing violent deaths. There's a lot going on under the surface of the little town and its scheming residents. Readers will appreciate the freshly drawn setting, especially the farms and woods outside Dockerty, as well as the vivid characters capable of startling revelations. (May)