‘Someone Must Die’ fueled by family strife

The family dynamics that threaten irreparable harm to people who are supposed to love each other enhance the gripping plot of Miami author Sharon Potts’ fourth novel.

“Someone Must Die” (Thomas & Mercer, $15.95) is populated by strong, realistic characters who, for the most part, are quite unlikable. But unpleasant characters have found a niche in mystery fiction — the key is the author has to make them interesting enough for the readers to care what happens to them. And Potts more than succeeds in that aspect with the Lynd family of Miami.

Retired pediatrician Diana Lynd has only recently reconnected with her estranged son and his wife. The relationship has been going so well that Diana has been allowed to have her 6-year-old grandson, Ethan, visit for a week. Diana and Ethan have had a wonderful time meeting and bonding. But during an outing at a Miami church carnival Ethan disappears.

The family blames Diana for being careless. The FBI and local police scrutinize the family, especially Diana, who had recently been sued by the parents of a boy who died while in her care. Or could the kidnapping be related to Diana’s fiance, Jonathan Woodward, who may be nominated to the Supreme Court?

Diana’s only ally in the family is her daughter Aubrey, a Ph.D. candidate in psychology, who flies in from Boston to help her family. When Diana receives an odd ransom note, Aubrey realizes that the key to finding Ethan may be in her parents’ college days. Aubrey’s strong sense of duty and justice make us want to know more.