The 37th Hour    by Jodi Compton Order:  USA  Can Dell, 2005 (2003) Hardcover, Paperback, Audio     Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth It's hard to believe that The 37th Hour is Jodi Compton's first novel. What an exciting debut. Minnesotan Detective Sarah Pribek is recently married to a fellow officer she calls by his last name of Shiloh. He leaves home to go to FBI training headquarters in Virginia. When he fails to arrive there, she starts a search for him on her own, knowing that, after thirty-six hours, it's almost impossible to find a missing person. Sarah overturns a lot of rocks in her search for Shiloh, some in Salt Lake City, a few in New Mexico and many in her hometown suburb of Minneapolis. She is also contending with the rape and murder of her partner's daughter. A lot on one person's plate. The 37th Hour is well-plotted with tight writing and really lifelike characters. Sarah has so frail an ego that she constantly second guesses herself, but pushes on with a personal determination that won't allow her to quit. Most of the characters are wounded in one way or another. Aren't we all? Compton sets the stage and lets her players tell the tale. And a well told tale it is. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews