Kramer's new Spartz mystery is suspenseful, risky

In many respects, the fourth Riley Spartz mystery by Minnesota author Julie Kramer is her best yet. Though “Killing Kate” follows the same basic plot as the previous books — a series of slow news days comes to an abrupt halt with a dastardly and ratings-grabbing crime — the writing is so crisp, it will keep readers turning the pages.

TV reporter-investigative journalist Spartz is at her feistiest, the dialogue is at its sharpest and the main plot is chillingly suspenseful. There’s plenty of action and a jaw-dropping penultimate scene that sets up the potential for another book in the series.