The independent and spirited missing person's detective Hester Thursby has helped fill the hole in my heart left by the absence of new Sue Grafton books featuring Kinsey Milhone. While Kinsey is a California gal and Hester has a background as a reference librarian at Harvard University in Massachusetts on the East Coast (my alma mater), they share a similar mindset and fierce loyalty and independence for a non-traditional family. Hester still keeps her own apartment on the top story of a three floor townhouse while she could be living with her "non-husband" Morgan on the 2nd floor as she reluctantly helps raise the 3 year old daughter of Morgan's twin sister Daphne. The absent Daphne, who should be living on the first floor, is also Hester’s best friend.

In this debut novel, Hester uncovers many secrets while tracking down two off-the-grid young men who disappeared from Little Comfort in New Hampshire. I read an advanced reader's copy thanks to NetGalley the publisher Kensington books, and author Edwin Hill. However, Little Comfort will be coming out on August 28, 2018 and I hope it is wildly popular so that Hill will bring us more adventures from feisty Hester Thursby.

This fast-paced and action-packed drama pulled me in immediately quickly becoming a page turner. Who is Sam Blaine? Who is Gabe? What game are they playing? And it is this game that takes this story on a dangerous path where no one is safe. What should be a simple case of finding a missing brother turns into much more when his nefarious past is exposed and he’ll take whatever steps necessary to maintain his sense of worth.

The mystery was set up nicely keeping me glued to the pages as I had to know what was going to happen next. The author did a great job in presenting the various characters and the pivotal roles they would play in how well this story was being told. From Sam to Hester to Gabe to Kate to Felicia to Morgan to Wendy to Lila all had stakes that set the stage in this tale of intrigue and suspense that was both riveting and grippingly revealing. Every time I thought I had a handle on what was going on, the author changed the direction, taking this to a higher playing field that kept me immersed in every aspect. As the story moved forward, the more intense it became and the frenetic pacing increased as this explosive drama came down to wire. This was a captivating tale and I can’t wait to see where we go next with Hester and her adventures.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The character development was just superb and I could not read the last 100 pages quick enough. I want to read this book again and that is saying something for a psychological thriller. I am eagerly anticipating the next in the series.

It is fun to read debut novels, and Little Comfort by Edwin Hill has a librarian as protagonist which is even better. Readers always have a soft spot for librarians.

Hester Thursby, Harvard librarian, has taken a leave of absence to help her partner care for his young niece. Hester has a side job, however; implementing her research skills to locate missing people.

Hester adores Kate, but the little one is causing some disruption in Hester's life. As much as she loves Kate, suddenly thrust in the role of caregiver to a small child was never in Hester's life plan, and she occasionally finds herself bored.

When a call from Lila Blaine requesting help in locating her brother that she hasn't seen in twelve years, Hester agrees to meet her and find out more. Intrigued by the sporadic postcards Lila has received over the years, Hester agrees to see if she can locate Sam Blaine and the best friend he ran away with at fourteen.

Why did Sam and Gabe run away in the first place? Why are the postcards so cryptic?

Hester follows the clues and finds herself in a situation she never bargained for.

Read in June; blog review scheduled for August 14.

NetGalley/Kensington Books
Mystery/Suspense. August 28, 2018. Print length: 324 pages.

Not a new premise, but this book has enough sub-plots that definitely keep you flipping pages late into the night (or early morning!). I thoroughly enjoyed peeling off the layers of intrigue and betrayal, love and hate. Really a great summer read! Highly recommended...

A new and delicious female detective, Hester Thursby. This is a fascinating detective story with a small detective who takes on searches using her skills as a Harvard librarian to track down missing people. This innocent “hobby” turns into quite a detective story as Hester searches for a long missing brother and his best friend.

Nothing is simple and Hester quickly finds Sam and Gabe, but winds up deep in the middle of serial killers and a hideous child sexual abuse scheme.

All this is told against the backdrop of Hester taking care of her partners niece whose mother has run off.

This has it all, children, dogs, engaging plot and interesting new detective. Only one question, will there be more adventures with Hester?

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