Question C

[Jonetta]

Sheriff Colgate quickly targets Evan as the suspect. With the information he had available, was he justified in drawing that preliminary conclusion? When do you think he should have adjusted the scope of his investigation?

[Robin]

I think he should have kept an open mind about Evan. He could have shot Paul, or he could have witnessed the whole thing and been pursued by the killer. When the information about Tina's father came to light, he should have looked into that situation harder.

[Jonetta]

I always thought the theory behind Evan’s motive was thin but reasonable for consideration. But when it was clear Evan had been injured and Tina’s past was revealed, Colgate needed to strongly reconsider as there were others with much stronger motives. But, the sheriff dug in, to his downfall.

[Lauren]

I'm actually surprised it took him so long to suspect Evan. A teenage boy with a history of criminal acts is present in the house when his stepfather is murdered - he was the obvious suspect.

That said, once it became obvious that the body in the morgue was mistaken for Even, Colgate should have re-evaluated rather than doubling down.

[Jonetta]

I thought he suspected Evan from the very beginning, which was reasonable. It was his inability to keep an open mind I found frustrating. He kept tossing out anything that didn’t fit it being Evan.

[Charlene]

I can see how Evan could be the most logical suspect, but the blood that was Evan's on the fence and the trail made me think that the sheriff should have at least considered that Evan had been injured by someone else.

Also, ballistic tests didn't seem to be reported as to whether it was Paul's gun that killed him or another. Whose gun did Evan have with him?

[Jonetta]

That’s a good point.

[Lauren]

Charlene wrote: "Also, ballistic tests didn't seem to be reported as to whether it was Paul's gun that killed him or another. Whose gun did Evan have with him?."

Forensics is not Leigh's strong suit. She has made mistakes in this regard before and I suspect this is why she doesn't write police procedurals.

[Sharon]

I am still upset with Colgate and his treatment of Halley from the previous book. He is continuing on the same path.

Evan looks like a potential suspect. I understand why he looked at Evan at first, but there are indications that it could be someone else. Colgate is not a good investigator, and doesn't like to be wrong. I thought he would learn from his previous mistake, but sadly he didn't.