Robert R. Irvine

Again a more or less manufactured case (or cases). The Travelers save the Chester building and find Martin's "grandchild". The ending is horrible, especially since it leads to the favorable disposition of that grandchild's living arrangement. Surely the Travelers or Tanner could have managed it better? The story of the destruction of the copper mining town is interesting. If such a thing actually happened, it would be interesting to read about it at greater length in a historical account.

This is a rather stilted book. The case feels manufactured to give the Travelers something to do. Some of the same gags are repeated from other books, often in the same words. The only thing that makes this book worth it is the picture of the affect of WWII on rural Mormon Utah. The prophet's niece, Lael, simply does not replace Moroni's girlfriend, Claire. This book needed a more credible crime.

A kidnapping of the Mormon's prophet's niece asks for a new revelation for women's equality. Moroni has to pay his debt incurred in the previous installment and find the niece. I am glad I do not live in Utah; I could not live in such close proximity to theocracy. But the competing dualisms give these books an edge. Moroni's new nemesis will be bating him with news of Moroni Traveler III. Maybe with the help of the prophet's niece?? A twist at the end.

Although the basic premise is a little bit of a stretch, this is a worthy installment in this series. A small town coverup/denial leads to apparent suicides and murder. One wonders how Moroni will continue with one of his torments/motivations.