Borderlines

Joe Gunther #2

by Archer Mayor

Seconded to the State’s Attorney’s office, Lt. Joe Gunther is in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom investigating a minor embezzling case. It’s a pleasant distraction, and a chance to reconnect with old friends, but when a house fire reveals itself to be arson, compounded by murder, Gunther can’t help but investigate. Suddenly, he finds himself enmeshed in a web of animosity between put-upon townspeople, the state police, angry parents and members of a reclusive sect. Murder follows murder, yet no one seems to be telling Gunther the whole truth—not even his childhood friends—and truth is what he desperately needs if he’s to stop the killings.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Crime, Thriller, Detective, Procedural

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published December 1, 1994

About the author

Over the years, Archer Mayor has been photographer, teacher, historian, scholarly editor, feature writer, travel writer, lab technician, political advance man, medical illustrator, newspaper writer, history researcher, publications consultant, constable, and EMT/firefighter. He is also half Argentine, speaks two languages, and has lived in several countries on two continents.

All of which makes makes him restless, curious, unemployable, or all three. Whatever he is, it’s clearly not cured, since he’s currently a novelist, a death investigator for Vermont’s medical examiner, and a police officer.

Archer has been producing the Joe Gunther novels since 1988, some of which have made the “ten best” or “most notable” lists of the Los Angeles and the New York Times. In 2004 Mayor received the New England Booksellers Association book award for fiction.

Intriguing plots, complex characters, and a vivid landscape are the foundation of Archer Mayor's award-winning New England thrillers.

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m really enjoying going back and listening to the first books in the Joe Gunther series. It’s like learning a friend’s background years after you’ve known them. Instead of a vacation, he’s up in northeast Vermont, on special assignment to the state AG. The town is his boyhood home and we meet a lot of folks from his past. Joe gets sidetracked from his initial investigation when there’s a possible arson that kills five people. The property is owned by a religious cult. The same cult that a couple is seeking to extract their daughter from. Joe is still a lone wolf and seems to be seeing how many toes he can step on with the local cops. But we also are introduced to Lester Spinney. And from the get go, Lester is a fun addition.
As always, Mayor manages to keep me guessing up until he reveals the actual outcome. This series consists of solid police procedurals with well defined characters.
Another enjoyable feature of these audiobooks is Mayor’s introduction, since they were recorded years after they were written. We’re given a glimpse into what went into writing the books.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second Mayor book featuring Joe Gunther. This one has an interesting premise as Gunther goes northeast to a small town where he spent time when he was young. He was sent on another case, but soon becomes involved in a dispute between townspeople and a sect that is secret and threatens the way of life in the town. I like Gunther. He is thoughtful and a good detective who respects people, but takes no guff. I really enjoy Mayor's writing, too.

[Erth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did not know if I would like the first Joe Gunther book (Open Season), but I did so I ordered #2 - "Borderlines." Like I said in my review of "Open Season", if you live in Vermont or Central to South Western New Hampshire, and you like mysteries, and thrilling ones to boot, then you will like this book. This book focuses on the area around St. Johnsbury, Vermont.

Downside first (just like the first book): too many characters (with no listing at the beginning) and too many dead people! (do not worry - I will not give away the plot line). When part of the mystery was revealed a little more than 80% of the way into the book, I could not remember which character it was that suddenly came back into the limelight. I think the author should occasionally reference key characters, especially those that will have some role at the end of the book. A second concern I have which is personal, is that I do not need obscenities. Yes I understand the context of events as they are unfolding, but enough is enough. Having said that, these two concerns are not nearly enough for me to avoid ordering #3.

Positives: Keeps you wanting to read the next chapter and there so many options (I think too many) as which way the plot will run, that you will have no idea as to the outcome. The finish is exciting and for me surprising.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Archer Mayor is a new discovery for me and I am SO glad I stumbled across a couple of his books. This was the first that I read and it was fabulous. Since Mr. Mayor lives in Brattleboro, he makes Vermont come alive in a way that someone who doesn't would not be able to do. I have never been to Vermont, but I could vividly see the scenes in my mind.

This novel creates a mystifying mix of murders, each level becoming more complex - it is beautifully done and Joe Gunther is a terrific character - complex, insightful and full of the sort of off-beat stuff that makes a good cop character. As he tries to solve first a mysterious fire that resulted in five deaths, then a brutal stabbing, then yet another horrifying death that seems to disrupt the entire flow of the investigation, he is stymied at every turn by members of a group of people who belong to a sect of "back to nature" worshippers, who have rejected all modern conveniences - and refuse to interact with those who do not agree, not even talking to them. To make matters worse, members of the community who lived there before their arrival resent this group and feel they are a cult - there is a lot of tension simmering under the surface.

But, don't want to ruin it for you! Just go out and read the book - you won't be sorry!

[Angie Boyter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just OK. Actually a bit disappointing. I got into the book nicely, but the last third or so didn't please me. There is a big suspenseful scene at the end in a quarry, but the whole layout was so complicated with ladders and ledges, etc., that I never quite understood it and therefore didn't get it.
Also some characters engaged in odd behavior that should have been explained but was not, e.g., a woman claimed she did not know when her husband left the house because she had taken Valium and was sleeping. For some reason Joe doubts this and goes into her bathroom and finds out that there are no Valium missing from her pill bottle. After making such a big deal of the matter, which he mentions again later, it needs to be followed up and explained.
There are some twists and turns on the whodunit score, one of which I think was unfair, the other clever.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining and quite exciting at the end. They say you can’t go home again and I believe Joe found this out as his stay with old friends led him to the realization they were not who he thought they were. Joe seems to be his own worst enemy at times as he jumps in head first but it does lead to a lot of excitement. I am glad I stumbled on this series through audible.

[Judy Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have recently discovered this series of police procedural novels written by Archer Mayor featuring the Vermont policeman Joe Gunther. I read the first book and thoroughly enjoyed the setting, the characters and the plotting. I decided to continue reading the books and was pleased to note that there were 29 books in the series with book 30 due out soon.

This second story has Joe Gunther leaving his primary work location of Brattleboro to travel to another area of Vermont on assignment for a special investigation of a different type of case. The small town Joe spent most of his childhood summer vacations in is very close by so he decides to stay there and travel back and forth to investigate the case he's assigned. Joe's trip to the Northeast Kingdom and the town of Gannet was supposed to help him get his life back in order after his previous case. Instead he landed smack in the middle of a town divided by a cult type group called The Order. Feelings are running so hot and tension is so high that something is going to happen soon.

Once again I thoroughly enjoyed the plotting of this story and the continuation of character building for Joe Gunther that began in the first book. I'm finding that it doesn't do me any good to think I can quickly spot the bad guys in these stories because this author inserts twists and turns pretty much throughout the whole book. My interest is piqued now and I am glad to say I still want to go exploring with Joe again. This book was published in 2007 and I think it will be quite interesting to watch Joe's life change from book to book. I am looking forward to it.

[Judith von Kirchbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and highly satisfying read

Murder mystery set in Vermont’s northeast kingdom, as an avid 'crime reader' I am always looking for different authors who can write a good tale. This series meets my needs. Plus I love the location and love that these books take me to Vermont now that travel isn’t possible. Enthralling story, well written with a touch of humour and makes me want to read all the rest in the series.

[Harry Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A most worthy sequel. Mayor's strong characters and effective portrayal of the hardscrabble nature of the setting significantly enliven the story. There are a couple of interesting twists. One of them is that a central character, a young woman named Julie, is pivotal to the story, but is almost invisible. The second would be a spoiler if I told what it is; go read for yourself.

[Carolyn (in SC) C234D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m really enjoying this series. Good characters and story. I did wonder why you never found out more about Julie Wingate’s mother—her role, the Valium question, etc. A complicated but interesting read.

[Cynthia · Rating 1 out of 5]

It would be nice if in just ONE promising series, an old white man could prevent himself from writing cringe shit like this:

"She [much younger woman whom protagonist has recently met] slid off the car and opened her coat [inviting protagonist to admire her body. AS ALL WOMEN DO.] She was, in fact, remarkably attractive, "full-bodied," as the ads say, but with a flat stomach and nicely rounded hips." YAY BOOBIES! BUT NOT A FAT CHICK!

JESUS EFFING CHRIST, another potentially enjoyable (and "highly acclaimed") series ruined because male authors can't just wank in the bathroom instead of in front of their computers. (Lee Child is usually a refreshing exception to this, Coloradan Jeff Carson is one of the most egregious offenders.)

Does no one tell them they're embarrassing themselves? Is no editor brave enough to say "For God's sake man, people can see what you're writing."

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gave up. Second read of this author and just too strung out for me. Way more descriptive detail than I want.

[David Highton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joe Gunther is on assignment in North Western Vermont and decides to stay with an uncle in a town where he spent his childhood summers. He finds much of the town occupied by a cult, there is a fight, a fire and then a murder and he gets drawn into the investigations. A good plot moves along with pace towards a climactic ending. I will look to the next in the series.

[Suzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was a little too scary for me. I skipped the part I thought would give me nightmares. It was interesting that this was published in 1990 just before the Branch Davidians in Texas. we were moving and drove past the mess about every other day. Then our dentist was one to help identify the bodies. My husband and I keep thinking we want to move to New Hampshire from Florida, as least for summers. So far reading Archer Mayor's books, I am not discouraged, although there are a lot of violent people up there in New england......

[Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK other than the fairly convoluted solution based on an improbable assumption or two, which is very common for the genre, I really like this book and this series. It's the crusty world weary detective and the quaint ageing rusty worn down towns set in the scenic panorama of Vermont (at least that's the way my imagination see's it) I like, and I like them a lot. Worth checking out

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun second outing for Joe Gunther. The writing is smooth and easy, and the plot flows really well. And it being set in Vermont is a definite plus. There's nothing quite like that, and I always get pumped when the setting plays an integral role in the story. A couple of things I saw coming that were meant to be a surprise, but that didn't bother me because it was such a good read. Looking forward to #3.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audio liked the Gunther character and narration....story "so-so"; but it was entertaining enough to go on to the next in series.

[Anne, Unfinished Woman · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT

Archer Mayor is a very skilled storyteller. In this convoluted and creative second of the series, Lt. Joe Gunther of the Battleboro Police in Vermont, accepts a temporary job working for State's Attorney Ron Potter in a small town in the Northeast Kingdom. He is going to stay with his Uncle Buster in Gannet, looking for a renewal of good childhood memories and fleeing his troubled, shaky relationship with Gail Zigman. They are not communicating and he tells her he is leaving on the night before. While he is going to investigate the embezzlement of funds in another town, he becomes embroiled in the tensions and problems of Gannet almost immediately. His memories certainly don't include the odd houses and peculiarly dressed individuals in town. The Order, a cult, has bought many of the homes, established a restaurant, The Kingdom, having seduced the community in the beginning with money and friendship. They worship nature, do not believe in electricity, cars or money and all wear quilted suits. They share sexual partners, and the children. They have become isolated and apart from community activities. The local community doesn't like them and bad feelings are mounting, especially from Greta Lynn who owns the huge and decrepit Rocky River Inn, a hotel/bar/cafe and her home. Everyone is aware that she is holding on only slightly to her business, and she blames the Order.

There is a confrontation soon after he arrives between members of the Order and Bruce and Ellie Wingate who have traced their daughter to the Order, and are demanding to see her, determined to return her home, though she is 21. She does not want to see them. Wingate forces his way into one of the homes, inhabited by Fox (Ed Sylvester), Dandelion and three children. Fox throws Wingate out a window. The next night there is a fire and Fox's burns down, with Fox wrapped around the makeshift stove that started the fire when knocked over, and the four others killed from smoke inhalation. They were huddled together on a bed upstairs, locked into the room, the key on the outside. Rennie and Joe with the Scott-Packs for air go into the fire, and nearly lose their lives in an explosion. Deemed a suspicious fire, it becomes an investigation of the State Police led by Crofter Smith, with Joe a "guest" participant. When Wingate is stabbed to death, it appears that Joe's lifelong friend Rennie Wilson is the main suspect. His lighter was under the body, his boot tracks are at the scene, and the knife and bloody clothes and boots are found in his Home. He is on the run, looking even more guilty, though Joe doubts his guilt. More and more of the State's police are brought in. The town blames the cult and tensions increase, again fomented by Greta. Wingate had revealed they found their daughter through a private investigator and now have a consultant involved, Paul Gorman, CEO of FTC, Freedom to Choose, an organization that deprograms individuals after cult participation. He acts as go between for Ellie, who refused to take a lie detector test, while Bruce's was inconclusive.

The process of the investigation is complex and while there is a surfeit of clues and evidence, some of it doesn't make sense to Joe or to Detective Sergeant Lester Spinney of the St. Johnsburg BCI, and part of the State Major Crimes Squad. They team up. Joe looks into Julie's life at home and school and talks to Dr. Ruth Kaufman, a professor who specializes in cult behavior and knows a lot about the Order, and a psychiatrist Dr. Barb Barrett. Bruce Wingate had been a control freak, never letting Julie or Ellie out of his control, yelling at her teachers when he believes they are doing a bad job. He finds out that Julie had had episode of extreme anger while at school, destroying property, and harming herself. When they discover that Gorman was at the scene and a witness to Bruce's murder they arrest him, though he cannot identify the person who wielded the knife; Julie was there. The killer was tall and lean. Shortly after, following a meeting of Rennie and Julie Rennie is brutally murdered in the forest. Joe has learned that while Rennie was supposedly playing cards with a friend, Pete Chaney, every Wednesday night, he was in fact having sex with a score of women from the Order, an arrangement he had made with Edward Sarris, including Julie. He clearly had something on Sarris, for that to happen.

Joe is seeing more and more of what might have happened and as they are interviewing Sarris, who is tall and lean, he realizes they have made a mistake. They go back to talk to Nadine, Rennie wife. She is in a wheelchair as a result of a fall down the stairs. In their interview they determine that she and her brother Earle Renaud had a father who was domineering and abusive. Buster had been a buffer for some of the violence. But Earle hated Rennie because Rennie had pushed Nadine down the stairs when he was drunk and angry. No one understands the relationship that Nadine and Rennie had, that they loved one another and accommodated one another's needs. They move to the home where Earle lives, outsmart and arrest him.

It remains now to determine who killed Bruce Wingate. When they return to Sarris, who finally acknowledges what Joe suspects that Rennie held a secret that would have ruined Sarris's group and business. In his relationship with Julie he had found out that the child that had fallen from the bridge three years earlier was actually murdered, and Sarris had covered it up. The child had been retarded; he had been Julie's child (She had gotten pregnant by Fox when he was at her university recruiting; he had fallen in love with her, and she had lived in his home with him, and she had killed him because he was not perfect. Fox and Julie's relationship was a practice not supported by the beliefs of the Order, who did not allow committed partners.) Sarris has also let Julie go, having given her one of the cars the Order kept. As they follow her, again using Lt John Bishop as tracker when her vehicle is located, they are drawn to the granite quarries for which Vermont is so famous. Most of the party follow Bishop; John moves down the road and then follows prints on a side road that lead to the quarry. Joe then sees the possibility of their plan to get away, Julie and Rennie's killer through a gap in the quarry bowl. He heads down the treacherous sides to find the person, and to intervene in what appears to be an ambush to kill the men who followed Julie's trail, as they descend into the quarry. He tries to kill the man who is inside one of the huts on the side, and is shot at, granite particles nearly blinding him and hitting him in the side. He manages to follow, seeing that it is Fox who did not die in the fire, and pulls the ladder Fox is on away from the rock, and Fox falls to his death. They determine that the night of the fire, a new recruit was in Fox's house, Fox was away. When Wingate went to the house to get Julie, he takes Dandeion and the children hostage, locking them in the the room. Julie has her father's gun and shoots at her father but hits the recruit in the neck. He falls down the stairs onto the stove, the embers smoldering for awhile producing the lethal smoke that killed the hostages. Fox realizes he has an opportunity to get away with Julie. He wears Rennie's clothing and boots, and plants the evidence to frame him. Sarris is arrested for covering up the child's murder. As Joe recovers, he and Buster reminisce about Garret's past and how it and the community will survive. Gail is coming up to see him, and they will begin a new chapter in their relationship.

The theme of control and domineering, abusive parents, who sometimes instill a deep anger in their children is used throughout this story. Julie was a product of such a home as was Earle Renaud. They can be particularly susceptible to cults, the military or other highly organized and controlled environments, trying to lose themselves. This is a provocative tale that haunted me long after I finished it. It moved me to think about the mob mentality that arose among the members of Gannet as Greta makes wrong assumptions and accuses those she hates without proof. She is desperate to save her business and to maintain some authority in the town. The poverty and fear of the community plays into the intentions of others. Mayor is brilliant in setting the atmosphere on a dying community among the beauty of the state; the foreboding of the story, beginning with the scene of the deer that he stops along the highway to admire and watches shot by a hunter. He goes after the man, furious at the loss of power and beauty of the animal, yelling that the act was illegal beside a highway. He then is stopped by the hunter shooting at him as a warning, and he realizes the hunter was after the food that would sustain him and his family through the bitter winter. A compelling set-up to the multiple views of the events to come, and the need to move slowly and with thought before rushing to judgement and action. And it's about survival in all its applications.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brattleboro, VT, police Lt. Joe Gunther, has traveled north to Vermont's Northeast Kingdom to assist the State's Attorney with an embezzlement case. Joe had spent many happy summers in this area when he was growing up so it is a good excuse to visit with some old friends as well. The small town of Gannet has undergone major changes since Joe was last there. Much of the original town is going to ruin while a lot of the houses and farmland have been purchased by the Natural Order, a group of devoted followers of nature and their charismatic leader. There has been dissension between the townspeople and the cult but by and large they leave well enough alone. Joe is drawn into the turmoil when a housefire kills 5 members of the Order and it is suspected that a desperate father, who has come looking for his daughter in the cult, intentionally torched the house. When the father himself is murdered several days later Joe is devastated to learn that a long-time friend of his may be the chief suspect in all of the murders. Although he is worried about his friend, Joe follows every lead no matter where it might take him.
I really enjoy this series and Mayor's writing is just so well done. Joe is a great character, heroic but flawed, and you just have to root for him to catch that bad guy, which of course he does. I've only read 2 of the series so far but am really looking forward to more.

[Vastine · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the high side of three stars. I once again enjoyed Mayor's main character, Joe Gunther,and the book's comfortable style of writing. It is always fun to explore a state (or country)you don't know well in a nicely written mystery and the setting in a remote area of Vermont was half the fun of this book. I was a little bothered by the build-up of numerous characters only to have them disappear from the book (or in one case never even appear.). The main issue I had with this book is just a personal one, I don't like books built around cults. That said, I have little doubt that sometime down the road I will happily pick-up the next book in the series.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Archer Mayor is a gifted writer; his varied background/professions present many experiences to draw from. This is the second book in his Joe Gunther series, and I found it (generally) even better than the first one... until near the ending, when the story line got all tangled and nearly incomprehensible. I was sad about this, as I had to re-read several pages, trying to wrap my mind around (useless to me) location descriptions. First 4/5 of this novel, I was mesmerized by the plot/characters/prose. The ending was incomplete and non-satisfying. However, because he's such a good author, I'm giving him a pass, and am currently reading #3 of this series.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the "Joe Gunther Series". I was so enthralled by "Open Season", his first book, I needed to see if it's follow-up would be as good. I was not disappoined. With intriguing plots but down to earth, small town, characters I find the stories suspenseful but realistic. With 21 books in the series, I have much more reading about Joe Gunther in my future.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good book in the series. I thought this was a neat little mystery that also added a lot of depth to the central character. Like with many good mysteries, I thought I had figured this one out a couple of times only to be proven wrong every time. Good story and good characters in an interesting setting. I am looking forward to reading the next one.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

If the first two books of a series are any indication of the next 20, I'm in for the long haul on these. I didn't see it coming, but I didn't feel cheated....perfect mystery.

[Clem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unless you own a Kindle, you might not be familiar with this author. I only say this because Kindle offers a lot of his books at a discount rate at times, and you can even read many of them on the “Kindle Unlimited” program (these are a select group of titles that Kindle allows Amazon Subscribers to read for free – 1 book per month).

This author has written a series of books that revolve around Detective Joe Gunther. Gunther resides in the Northeastern part of the United States. I’m guessing he’s about 50-ish, a widower, and pretty good at what he does. This is the second book of the series. The author tells his tales in first person, and I’m guessing that as he writes more of these stories, we learn more about Gunther, and events in his personal life probably evolve within the pages as well. Not an uncommon feature with writers of detective stories.

As Gunther is heading out of town to work on a special assignment, he’s sidetracked when he goes back to his hometown. Apparently there’s a strange environmental “cult” that now resides there, and they have quite the effect on the community. They don’t seem to be particularly harmful, and as long as no laws are broken and these people mostly keep to themselves, conflicts can be mostly avoided.

Things go awry when an older couple show up in town and demand their daughter back from the cult. They claimed she was kidnapped. The cult, of course, denies it. Next thing you know, there’s a fire within the cult at one of the houses that kills several people. A couple of murders later, and you have a full-fledged crime story to unravel. So Gunther, along with several other police types do what needs to be done. There’s a lot of locals to interact with, a lot of cult members that are rather tight-lipped, and a lot of information about the people in question that start to slowly unravel. There’s even a lot of unnecessary banter between Gunther and a local girl. There’s an attraction there, but things don’t really go anywhere. I guess this is common when you have a widowed detective as your main character. You have to have some sort of romantic attraction somewhere. Right? It’s only human nature.

Overall a very good story. The author’s first book was about of the same caliber. I can’t say that this book was earth-shattering, nor am I rushing out to read more of these stories. Still, though, I would say that these books are far better than the average of the same genre, and when one can obtain the book at somewhat of a discounted rate, what do you have to lose?

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who would think to set a murder & mayhem series in Vermont? Mayor, that's who. And it works terrifically well. In this entry, Joe Gunther had to travel to one of his home towns (it was the summer place), initially for a relatively innocuous investigation. Of course, things don't stay innocuous. No. Not at all. There is what appears to be a religious cult that has, to a great extent, taken over the town. While no one is quite sure of their theology, it is clear that they live without modern conveniences, such as electricity. When they first came in, they paid well-over-market to buy up a number of houses in the middle of town, so the locals were happy. But that didn't last. They are extremely insular, to the point of not speaking to anyone in town; even the kids don't talk. All interaction with the townspeople is left to their leader. People become more and more suspicious. Then a middle-aged husband and wife show up looking for their daughter, who they are convinced has been "kidnapped" by the "cult." At this point, all hell breaks loose. The husband/father breaks into a house he has seen his daughter enter. There is a fight. Later, there is a fire, that leaves multiple burned bodies. Joe gets sucked into this, resented by local law enforcement. More bodies follow, of course. You have to read this book (or the Amazon summary) if you want to know more of the plot.

One main question Mayor tackles here is whether or not you can go home again. Your old friends are still there, but are they the people you remember, with maybe less hair and more pounds, or have they changed in deep ways? And what about the town itself? With the major source of income having dried up and a cult in the middle of it all, is it the same place?

This is a good read, with solid characters living through major changes in a place they've known all their lives.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this audibook. It is the second in the long running Joe Gunther series. Joe is a cop with the Brattleboro, Vermont police. In this outing he is taking some time to distance himself from the outcome of the first book and a fight he has had with is girlfriend. He takes a temporary assignment in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont working for the state's attorney. This is the part of Vermont he grew up in and he plans on recuperating as well as reconnecting to his home. But when he arrives he finds out a cult called "The Natural Order" has taken up residence and the locals are split on their arrival. They come with money to buy land and donate a fire truck to the town, but they also are isolationists who seem to be under the thumb of the leader and his trusted lieutenants. Instead of investigating the embezzlement case the state's attorney originally wanted Joe for, he ends up in the middle of a complicated case involving The Order. A furious fire breaks out at one of The Order's buildings, killing 4 people. A bombastic man and his wife are on the scene trying to "rescue" their daughter from the cult. The state's attorney gives Joe permission to investigate the fire and the girl's alleged abduction. Joe runs into some helpful state cops, some resentful authorities, and some tension with his old friends. Joe is not a hot head. He plods along his own path even if it rubs some the wrong way. He begins to learn some uncomfortable truths about his old friends. He learns even more uncomfortable truths about the girl who joined the cult and her overbearing father. Then, when two more deaths occur Joe gets even more determined to figure it all out. He is a sympathetic character. This is a good police procedural with enough complexity to keep me interested.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in a new series that now has Lt. Joe Gunther coming off of a temporary stint replacing his current Chief of Police. After Joe helps to solve the case of the "Ski Mask Killer", (book 1) there was a lot of bad fallout and the Chief was asked to take a 6 month sabbatical. Joe ends up filling in as Acting Chief and at the end of the allotted time, he decides he needs a break and offers to help out on a case in another city.

The day he arrives all kinds of events occur, culminating in the deaths of 5 people in a fire. The town is in the middle of drama because of the arrival of members of a "cult" who have come into the town and bought up half of the town property before the residents realized what was happening. Instead of the job that he thought he was going to be doing, Joe finds himself right in the middle of several murders with one of his best childhood friends the prime suspect.

This book has a different feel than the first book. Not just because it is a different case, but because Joe finds himself on uneven footing. He is in a different city, seeing people he has known for most of his life, but now in a different capacity as a police officer. Was this book as good as the first book? To me, no. But, I still enjoyed it enough to immediately download the next book in the series and I am going to start it the minute I finish this review.

I listened to most of this book on audio and have found that I like the way the narrator portrays the characters. This series so far reminds me of some of the long ago police procedurals that are fairly straight forward that have the case unraveling with good detective work. There were a couple of missteps - just as you would find in any real case - but the ending ends up with a good payout when it is solved.

I'm happy to have found this series and am looking forward to continuing on with the next case.

[Roberta Ward Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read in the Joe Gunther series. Having lived in Vermont for many years, I relate well to the settings, easily visualizing the towns described with an appreciation for the cultural quirkiness of the communities and characters. My job took me all around the state over a long period of time. On one project, I travelled often from Burlington to the Northeast Kingdom during winter months. The book brought back memories of navigating back roads and encounters with blizzards along the way. Such is the skill of Mayor in vividly depicting the landscape of Vermont as well as its personality.
Speaking of quirkiness, the book has its share as the mystery unfolds. Although the characters are fascinating, there are so many it can be difficult to keep track of "who's who," especially among Joe's colleagues and associates. The central and even peripheral characters involved in the plot each share their unique contribution to becoming likely suspects or accomplices in the crime. They generously supply clues and reveal inconsistencies or confirm evidence detected in the crime scene, sometimes if only in their mannerisms. This feature of the book keeps readers on their toes to follow all the characters’ actions and words down to the last detail.
I have enjoyed both books that I have read in the series and will no doubt add more to my reading list. The interlacing of Joe's private life with the unraveling of details in his quest to find the killers and accessories to the crimes, along with vivid descriptions of the locales he covers, hold my interest to the end. This is much to the author’s credit inasmuch as historical biographical novels have always been my favorite genre, taking me to another time and place. I now have a diversion to turn to from time to time to rekindle memories of my years back in Vermont.

[Jerry B · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Borderlines is the sophomore appearance of both Archer Mayor and his popular Vermont police protagonist Joe Gunther. In a foreword, the author attests to his difficulties writing this novel – but even forewarned, we were again impressed with the clever plot, the pacing of the progress in the case, and the ample suspense and reading enjoyment delivered!

When a distraught father tries to rescue his young adult daughter from a northeast Vermont cult, a suspicious fire causing five deaths, and then some murders that appear to be a little too coincidental, keep the various police authorities busy to say the least. While not in his home jurisdiction, but with being the State Attorney’s investigator as his temporary duty, our hero displays both persistence and some fine analytical prowess as the police procedural finally starts to close in on the culprits – and for that matter, what really happened. That a close life-long friend of Gunther’s appears involved added considerable pressure to Joe's conduct.

We’re pretty sure this series is right up our alley, and rejoice to see that almost two dozen adventures already comprise the set. Bring it on! {3.5}