Badwater

This is a strong mystery investigation novel. I was drawn to it by the unusual premise of investigative geologists. Cassie and Walter are well drawn characters. We see most of the book through Cassie's first person POV. Our geologists protagonists are called in by the FBI supervising agent in charge of investigating an attack on a radioactive waste transporting truck.

I almost put the book down. I felt the villain was too amazing. He can do anything. He can track, fight, hide, steal valuable equipment and transport vast amounts of radioactive material without detection. There is a team of multiple agencies trying to track down the villain in Death Valley. The FBI, the Energy Department, and our intrepid forensics geologists. The villain is able to attack the investigators with impunity. Our heroes are attacked multiple times by the one villain who moves around the countryside freely and anticipates each action of the FBI led team. The villain can overcome armed FBI agents as if they are civilians. There is no explanation of why this individual is so amazing, except to say that he has had many jobs in his life.

I am glad I stayed with the book and finished it. It had a very dramatic roller coaster finale. There were three strong elements of the book, for me. The experiences of the heroine involved me, the description of desert and mountains brought Death Valley to life for me, and the tension and danger felt strong throughout the book.

It probably helped to keep the level of suspense high by having radioactive material on the loose controlled by a madman or madmen. The geologists take some trips surrounded by armed agents and some trips by themselves. They are not armed, except with scientific knowledge and tools of geological investigation. Our heroes are in danger, as well as the wilder region.

The author does a good job of bringing the desert area near the border between California and Nevada in the Southwest of the USA to life. I have been to Death Valley and found the descriptions credible. I did not recognize the exact locations mentioned, but they felt realistic.

The most enjoyable aspect of the book is Cassie's POV. When she is close to death from dehydration, I feel thirsty. When Cassie's hands are hurt but she needs to keep climbing up a rock, my hands hurt with her. When she finds that water could be contaminated, I felt uncomfortable with her swimming in the motel swimming pool the previous day. The author does a good job of making the reader feel what the main character is going through.

This book is a fast and enjoyable read. I recommend it to mystery readers. My one complaint is how the villain is drawn, but the book is good enough to overcome that complaint, for me.