Half Life — Helen Cothran

When Desert Rock's mayor volunteers the town to be a radioactive waste dump, tempers ignite. Then protestor Pete Castillo disappears and his sister Gabby cries murder. Writer and amateur sleuth Sam Larkin gets pulled into the turmoil by her best friend Eddie, who convinces her to investigate on behalf of Gabby, who just happens to be his ex. As Sam reluctantly works the case, she confronts suspects whose toxic relationships reveal dangerous ideas about love. Before long, Sam asks one too many questions and finds herself in the crosshairs.