Oh, author, you are giving!

This is the start of a new series and I am so here for it!

The author gives us a lovely little heaven of a town. It’s just picture postcard perfect…on the surface. But under that surface? Oh, the rot!

Sonny, our MC, is delightful. Some people don’t like the author’s characters, but I think this one will sway those naysayers. She’s still strong and feisty, but she’s also vulnerable and relatable – and her mom! I love her!

The relationship is…interesting. I have opinions on Mr. man here, but I’ll let you read the book for yourself.

Now – certain readers may find there to be too much talk of race and politics. Those readers can go read something else. The main character is one of 5 (sort of) Black characters in this isolated little town and, yes, race will play a role.

An excellent book and the start to a fabulous series. Next book, please!

• ARC via Publisher

Alyson “Sonny” Rush has just moved with her mother to Haven, California, a long way from Los Angeles and her work as an LAPD homicide detective. She’s working as a PI and her first case is a missing dog. It may sound tame, but there’s a lot more going on than she ever expected. There’s also a case she’s not assigned to involving a teenage football star whose life was tragically cut short. Even though she’s warned off by her boss, she’s not going to let that stop her from digging deeper – especially when the local police write it off too quickly as suicide.

She’s barely in town for a few days when someone decides they don’t like all her questions and they begin sending her threatening messages. Looks like no one wants to ruin the picture of perfection (one letter away from Heaven!) that is the town of Haven. But the lengths they are going to confirm that there are numerous dark secrets people would kill to protect. Will Sonny get answers before she becomes the next victim?

I believe this is the start of a new series and I’m thoroughly hooked! There are many questions left unanswered that I’m dying for resolution on. Although the answer to the big one in this book was pretty obvious to me and I think the author left too many clues regarding the killer’s identity.

The characters are diverse and down to earth and watching Sonny’s mom, Val, battle her loss of memory is heartbreaking. And leaving off with what we just found out about Ivan? Not fair! There’s plenty to look forward to in the next book of this series and I can’t wait to read on!

I really enjoyed this and flew through it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!