Noontime Follies

A Minnesota police detective is plunged into corporate intrigue and cutting-edge science when a biochemist is found dead at his desk . . .   Rutherford, Minnesota's Property Crimes division has been busy. The town has had fourteen office break-ins in just five days—though nothing seems to have been taken. With GMO foods a growing industry in the area, controversy has been swirling, and threatening notes have been left by an environmental group.   But curiosity turns to alarm when a lead scientist is found dead at his desk at one of the sites.   As the small start-ups that received the messages are damaged and frightened by sneak attacks, Jake Hines and his team must embark on a steep learning curve. They're not sure whether the professor's death has to do with his pioneering scientific work, or something more personal . . .   This is a fascinating whodunit in a series that "always delivers a satisfying mystery" ( Booklist).