An Unexplained Death

Mesmerising investigation into the death of video director Rey Rivera, 32, last seen in 2006 leaving his Baltimore townhouse on errands. A “missing” poster outside the Belvedere Hotel building where the author lives spurs her to investigate what happened to the 6ft 5in guy with the bashful smile. “I’ve rarely seen a ‘missing’ poster for an unappealing person. Whoever makes them chooses the best portraits.” It’s Brottman’s quirky observations that give dignity to what was a gruesome end. Then Rey’s mates discover his flip-flops, car keys and mobile on the hotel roof and when they see a hole in what was once the swimming pool roof, they feel dread. Catering firm Truffles now occupies the pool space; staff complaining of a bad smell. Police arrive – a man’s body falls out of the ceiling. Rey is identified. An autopsy ruled suicide, but wife Allison believed it homicide. Brottman discovers that Rey’s death is part of a sad history of suicides at the Belvedere; suiciders leaving notes apologising for any clean-up.