I first heard of these books when a friend (MJ) posted them on GoodReads.

Unlike another book I read recently, this book does deal with art theft (as the title implies). I think the author does a good job of showing how the police build a case a piece at a time (unlike TV shows where most of the time it gets wrapped up in 60 minutes).

WARNING: SPOILERS MAY FOLLOW. READ ON AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.

*****

Jennifer is pregnant--I know the book says they were trying for a pregnancy because Harvey wanted kids while he was still young enough to keep up with them, but it still seems to have happened very fast. The first trimester seems accurate (based on what I know of it).

Jeff and Beth: I had thought in the first book that they were being set up to be a couple--I thought they might get their own book (or at least side plot) but their romance seems to have been accomplished through the sidelines of plots featuring Harvey and The Priority Unit/Harvey and Jennifer. They get engaged in this book.

Eddie: Eddie's matured since book 1. I wonder how much of that is from him accepting Christ. I'd gone back and forth over which of Jennifer's sisters he'd end up with--it looks like he's picked between them by the end of this book.

Abby: Surprisingly, she's the one who seems the least settled romantically. I had thought she'd end up being Eddie's girl, but it seems they've decided to be friends only. A few guys from the singles class are mentioned but it appears Abby will be choosing between Greg (an airline navigator) and Peter (a widower with 2 boys). I'm not sure if Abby really likes Peter or more likes or feels sorry for his sons. There's talk of Harvey and Jennifer watching the sons to allow Abby and Peter to go on a one-on-one date, but that doesn't happen in this book. The pluses of that would be that Abby would probably stay in the geographic area. Greg's job bases him more south of Portland--but it's possible he could get his route switched to one that includes Portland. But still, he probably wouldn't be home every night if he keeps his current job. Given how the author has stressed finding the right person for you in this series, I'm sure eventually it will be apparent as to which man will be the best one for Abby.

The Priority Unit: Lots of changes going on. In previous books, the head of the unit Mike first planned to retire but then got moved to Police Chief after his predecessor got hurt and the deputy chief had already accepted a chief's job somewhere else. Harvey took over the Priority Unit and brought in Carl to replace Pete who passed the bar and left to practice law and Nate to partner with Eddie. Arnie's retiring in about 3 months. In this book, Carl's out of commission by the end of the book. So once again, new men will be coming in to the Priority Unit (Jimmy and Tony). (The author has mentioned several times that women should be considered, but so far, it doesn't seem like they've considered any women to fill open positions in the unit.) On a related note, the police department is seeing changes too--Terry (one of the supervisors) who was being considered for both computer training and appointment to the unit, ends up leaving to take a police chief job in a small town. That allows Cheryl Yeaton, who took the computer training, to be appointed to a supervisor position as others move up. Sarah, another female police officer who featured heavily in book 1, is apparently still around but hasn't been focused on in the last couple books. ( )