Final Undertaking

Mark de Castrique
Poisoned Pen Press (2007)
ISBN 9781590582497
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (1/07)

Barry Clayton, aka, Buryin’ Barry, was a lawman until his father, the Gainesboro funeral director, developed Alzheimer’s.  Barry gave up the law and returned home to care for his father and take over the family business. 

Barry, and his friend, Dr. Susan, are enjoying a street dance along with Fletcher Shaw, Cindy, Sheriff Tommy Lee Wadkins and his wife Patsy.  Cindy and Barry are dancing when a man steps out of the crowd shouting “Lincoln, You bastard, this is for Lucy.”  He drew a gun and began shooting.  Sheriff Wadkins attempts to sneak up behind the man but is shot.  A young woman named Lucy Kowalski is seriously injured, Cindy has a wound to her side and the man with the gun is dead.   Lucy, Cindy, and the Sheriff are rushed to the hospital for treatment. 

The Sheriff asks Barry to lead the investigation by passing his own deputy Hutchins.  The disgruntled deputy tries to sabotage the investigation. 

Barry knows this wasn’t a random act or the act of a mentally troubled man.  This crime goes much deeper.  Preying against senior citizens suffering from great pain, prescription drug abuse, and Medicare fraud all play into this mystery.  The offense runs much wider than Barry first expected.  Will someone betray him?  Will he live to solve another case?

Fans of Mark de Castrique have been impatiently waiting for the 4th title featuring Buryin’ Barry Clayton; “Final Undertaking” won’t disappoint.  The characters in this story are well developed.  Who wouldn’t enjoy another Burin’ Barry mystery?  The plot flows well and his twists and turns that keep the reader eagerly turning the pages.  I highly recommend this book to those that enjoy good mysteries.

Make comment on weblog