By Lisa Boss, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main

The mother-daughter team known as “P.J. Tracy” pens a mean psychological crime thriller, with a cast of engaging characters, and intricate plotting. Their collaboration has produced a fresh voice in contemporary mysteries, with characters I loved, along with fast-moving story lines.

In their first book, the eclectic misfits that make up the computer geek squad known as Monkeewrench, become enmeshed in helping the police, when a series of murders are occurring that mimic their new, but unreleased computer game. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee police team keeps uncovering deeper puzzles involving Monkeewrench, while frantically trying to solve the increasing murders. Who are these people, really, and why are they so underground that even the FBI has lost track of them?