The coauthor of the “excellent” Mr. and Mrs. North mysteries presents another unbeatable team: Captain Heimrich and NYC police officer Nathan Shapiro (The New Yorker).   Capt. M. L. Heimrich of the New York State Police may not have the flash of hard-boiled city detectives, but there’s no lead the intrepid investigator won’t follow until his every hunch is satisfied . . .   Lt. Nathan Shapiro of the NYPD would rather be anywhere else than rural New York investigating lawyer Stuart Fleming’s claims of bribes and point-shaving schemes involving football players at Dyckman University. He’s a city cop and the country makes him nervous.   When he arrives at the headquarters of New York State Police Troop K, Shapiro’s day goes from bad to worse as Captain Heimrich informs him that Fleming’s been shot dead. Now, with a homicide on their hands, the city lieutenant and the country captain must get in the game and investigate the crime together.   As they dig into the scandal, Shapiro and Heimrich uncover more than some football dirty dealings. Seems there’s an entire gambling racket that won’t hesitate to tackle any problems with unnecessary roughness . . .   Murder Can’t Wait is the 16th book in the Captain Heimrich Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.   “Under the steady hand of old pro Lockridge, this culminates in a murder that requires imaginative police treatment.” —Kirkus Reviews

Inspector Heimrich gets embroiled in a small-town conspiracy in this mystery from the coauthor of the “excellent” Mr. and Mrs. North series (The New Yorker).Inspector M. L. Heimrich of the New York State Police may not have the flash of hard-boiled city detectives, but there’s no lead the intrepid investigator won’t follow until his every hunch is satisfied . . .   Tensions have been rising in the conservative community of North Wellwood, New York, ever since African American lawyer Thomas Peters moved to town with a plan to open a desegregated country club.   Those in opposition are determined to see Mr. Peters’s plan fail at all costs—going so far as to harass liberal newcomers like Eric and Ann Martin, and commit vile acts against those who dare to support equality, like widow Faith Powers.   Called in to investigate Mrs. Powers’s shocking murder, recently promoted Inspector Heimrich soon finds himself caught in the storm that has taken over North Wellwood. Now, if he wants to see justice served, he’ll have to make it out of a hate-fueled powder keg that’s ready to explode . . .   With Option to Die is the 18th book in the Captain Heimrich Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.