This one pulled me in with its atmosphere—moody, fog-drenched, and full of tension. Hall really knows how to set a scene, and the setting almost felt like a character itself. The mystery was layered and kept me guessing, though I’ll admit the pacing dipped a bit in the middle.

The main character was flawed in a way I appreciated—real, messy, and hard to pin down. Some of the side characters didn’t leave as strong an impression, but the emotional weight of the story still landed.

It’s not a fast-paced thriller, but if you like your mysteries with a slow burn and a strong sense of place, this one’s worth the read. Not perfect, but definitely memorable.

I thoroughly enjoyed this captivating, fast-paced book!
Great ending! I was excited to know there will be a sequel next year.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

If Rachel Howzell-Hall writes a detective/PI novel, Ima read it. I have missed Lou Norton so much, so getting a reasonable facsimile in Sonny Rush is just gonna have to do! Now everyone cross your fingers and pray that we get more than a few books in this new series. I'm intrigued by what happens with Uncle and her (was married but now suddenly not married) beau.

This is my first read from this author and I'd have absolutely no problem picking up another of her books. The writing style is different for me but I was completely engrossed in the story and the mystery of who did what to whom. Sonny is on the edge of destruction and not necessarily of her own making and moving to idyllic H(e)aven seems like a great idea, especially since her long time boyfriend lives there. All is not as it seems in this beautiful coastal town as she soon finds out and things start to get very murky. Not all secrets and mysteries are solved but the main one that THIS story is about does get solved. But more is lurking and I look forward to the next Haven Thriller story

Rachel Howzell Hall delivers a dark, atmospheric tale in Fog and Fury that blends crime, suspense, and speculative intrigue with sharp prose and a relentless pace. The story unfolds through a fog of secrets—both literal and emotional—as the protagonist navigates a dangerous landscape filled with shifting loyalties, buried truths, and simmering tension.

The lead character is tough, flawed, and utterly compelling—exactly the kind of woman you'd want leading a story like this. Hall's writing is vivid and visceral, with dialogue that crackles and moments that linger. If anything holds this back from a perfect five stars, it's that the plot occasionally dips into overly familiar territory, and a few threads could’ve used just a bit more resolution.

Still, this is a bold, satisfying read that’s both smart and full of heart. Hall fans will not be disappointed—and newcomers will quickly see what all the buzz is about.

Fog and Fury is book one in the Haven Thriller series by Rachel Howzell Hall.
I enjoyed this book as it was fast reading and more twists than I thought possible.
An extremely well written suspense story with an intricate plot and skillfully drawn characters. It’s a real page turner with twists and turns that seem to spin out of control. The ending was just amazing.
I can’t wait to read book two Mist and Malice.

Fog and Fury is the first novel I have read by Rachel Howzell Hall and it will not be my last.
This is the start of a new series about a small town called Haven where newcomer, Sonny Rush, has moved to with her mother to escape Los Angeles and the bad memories that are there. She is no longer a police officer but has become a private investigator in this town alongside her dad's old partner, Ivan. Her first case is to find a missing dog, but this town that is shrouded in fog is also shrouded in mystery and Sonny finds herself tangled in a web of deceit and many dark secrets.
Sonny is a strong character in a town full of people with things to hide. The main story I had pretty much figured out who really was behind everything, but this did not take away from my enjoyment of the story.
The book did end with a cliff hanger and there was quite a few things that needed resolution and clarification that will keep me looking out for the next book to see where life in Haven takes Sonny and her mother.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Set in the idyllic small (fictional) town of Haven, the sleepy coastal town nestled in the fog, Sonny moves from Los Angeles to join her godfather in the PI business. This will be cake compared to the ten years she spent as an LAPD officer.

Sonny first case- find Figgy, a missing Goldendoodle! As she begins to investigate and meet her new neighbors, Sonny is set on a collision course with her ex and a dead teen!

Can Sonny solve both the cases before Haven’s secrets destroy her?

This is book 1 in the Haven thriller series and it certainly leaves you hanging. This was a slow burn but Im definitely interested in seeing where the series goes in the future.

The setting is a character in itself, the characters are divided between like and loathe and you will have unanswered questions in the end but hopefully you will enjoy the twists and turns (unlike the drive on the winding roads!).

I love a fierce FMC who is relatable and a thought provoking read. If you can get through the conflicts and politics of a small town, I think you’ll enjoy this thriller. You’ll have to read and decide for yourself!

Thank you to author, Rachel Howzell Hall, Publisher Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Good read with a strong lead character and some solid small-town drama. A little slow at times and some twists were easy to spot, but I still enjoyed the story and the vibe.

Big thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy!

Fog and Fury by Rachel Howzell Hall is the first book in the Haven Thriller series.

I just couldn't get into this one. It started well, and I was actually interested, but then I just lost any understanding of what was happening. At the same time book kept my attention, but in a way like I was reading multiple books. I was so present in some parts and so distant in others, so this is why I am stretching my 2 stars to 3. But in general plot felt chaotic, and 2 days later, I can't name even one character... and sadly, this wants me to go back to 2 stars, but ok, as I said, I still manage to keep my attention in some parts...

A former LAPD detective moved to a small town to start fresh and quickly turned into a private investigator with small, insignificant cases until the sad death of a 17-year-old Black boy (it makes sense in the story) was found, and the case was not treated fairly. Soon, she discovers that nothing is as perfect as it seems in this town, and a dark web of lies and secrets leaves a massive shadow behind.

Thank you, NetGalley, and Thomas & Mercer for this copy and hopefully there are more readers who will love this!

Fog and Fury is the first in a new series and I am on the fence if I will follow it yet or not. I really enjoyed this book - we are set in a picturesque little town and Sonny is semi starting over as a new PI, former LAPD cop. She is feisty, strong willed, but sweet and relatable and for that I was invested in the story. I think where this went wrong for me was the intense discussions of politics, race, etc. I read to escape reality, not have it follow me. That is more topical, the book itself was written so well.

In Fog and Fury, former LAPD detective Sonny Rush relocates to the picturesque town of Haven—nicknamed “Mayberry by the sea”—while caring for her mother with Alzheimer’s. Working at her godfather Ivan’s PI firm, Sonny’s simple case of finding a missing dog, Figgy, takes a dark turn when a teenage boy’s body is found. As she investigates, Sonny must confront her wealthy ex and uncover the dangerous secrets beneath Haven’s charming facade.

Fog and Fury is a gripping, atmospheric thriller set in the eerie, fog-shrouded seaside town of Haven—nicknamed “Mayberry by the sea”—where nothing is as perfect as it seems. Sonny Rush, a strong, intelligent, and funny Black female PI, brings depth and resilience to the story as she uncovers the town’s dark secrets. I loved picturing Haven like the fictional town Cabot Cove from Murder, She Wrote, with nostalgic nods to Mayberry adding extra charm.

Read this if you like:
• Thrillers with sinister small-town secrets and deception
• Stories exploring memory, identity, loss, and family dynamics
• Complex, funny, and strong female protagonists facing personal reinvention
• Atmospheric mysteries with rich settings
• Twists and turns with a satisfying open ending that leads to more books
• Tales of resilience, power struggles, and emotional depth
• Nods to classic shows like Mayberry and Murder She Wrote
• Some humor sprinkled throughout the book

Rating: 4 out of 5

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for this e-ARC which will be released on July 1st 2025.

A nice start to a potential new series (given the ending). Sonny thought things would be quieter in Haven than they are with the LAPD but nope. Her first case might be a missing dog but shortly after she finds herself deep in a murder investigation. Small town secrets abound as does prejudice, I liked Sonny and would welcome another appearance. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for this ARC. Hall is a hit or miss author for me, and unfortunately this was a miss. I didn’t really like the writing style and I couldn’t get into the story at all. I ended up DNFing it about 10% in.

What starts as a search for a missing dog in a sleepy Northern California town unravels into a tangled web of secrets, lies, and social tensions. Fog and Fury by Rachel Howzell Hall blends small-town charm with big-league consequences—and trust me, the fog isn't the only thing that's dense around here.

Set in a misty Northern California town that practically breathes under Hall’s pen, the setting becomes a character in its own right. This isn’t your average cozy hamlet—it's a place where silence speaks volumes, and every neighbor seems to know just enough to be dangerous. Hall captures the claustrophobia and closeness of small-town living with uncanny precision.

The beauty of this book? It’s crawling with complicated people. Some you root for, some you want to shake, and all of them slightly, or greatly, unsettlingly.

Beneath the suspenseful plot lies a thoughtful exploration of race, privilege, and community. Hall uses the mystery genre as a vessel for bigger conversations—about who gets believed, who gets protected, and what it means to belong in a place that’s changing faster than its people are ready for.

Fog and Fury isn’t just a murder mystery. It’s a moody, meaningful meditation on the fractures hidden beneath the surface of quiet towns. The pacing might drift in places like a low fog, but the payoff is worth it. With its tangled relationships and sharp social commentary, I am looking forward to of the next installment that was introduced at the end of this one.

Another good one by Rachel Howzell Hall! There's a big shortage of African American mystery/thriller characters and writers! Always a delight and they are great characters and really good storylines. Seems like this character could be ready for another book!

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy.

Fog and Fury follows Sonny, a former LAPD homicide detective embarking on a new career as a PI in a small town in California. This move is not simple. First, there's her mother suffering from an early and developing memory disorder, prone to wandering. Second, her boyfriend is definitely not as divorced as he claimed to be. Then there's her first job - finding her (now ex) boyfriend's daughter's dog. What Sonny really wants is to investigate the death of a local high schooler. As she digs into this death in secret, what she discovers of the town is unnerving.

One positive is that Sonny is a great character. Flawed, aggressive, believable. You root for her. The negative is the pacing and focus. The book moves slowly, focusing on one mystery at a time. And there are a lot of mysteries. The book even leaves a lot of open-ended, setting future books in the series.

I'd recommend this to the right person, but not everyone. Still trying to figure out who that person is.
4 stars

Sonny Rush moves to the cozy community of Haven to a cushy job as PI to the wealthy and their lost dogs, thinking she will settle down with her boyfriend.... only to find out he's still living with his wife. She makes a plan to get out of town... until she gets a more interesting case than the usual lost golden doodle. Rachel Howzell Hall has a unique and humorous voice, and specializes in writing tough, smart, savvy female characters. Sonny is no exception. I enjoyed the suspense, the quickly unfolding mystery, and the ex-boyfriend drama, which all come together in a fun and thrilling way in the interesting town of Haven. Howzell Hall remains an auto-read author for me! 4 stars.

This seemed like a set up novel to begin a series. I understand trying to build the atmosphere and the setting, but this just seemed to drag on. Although I have liked other books by Rachel Howzell Hall, I didn't particularly enjoy this one; its' pacing was very slow. The cliffhanger would typically leave me anxiously awaiting the next installment, but I didn't feel particularly invested in this one.

I enjoyed this start to a series of Haven mysteries following Sonny Rush, a former detective and now a private investigator in a small town. The mysteries really piled up and I liked that not everything was wrapped up in this first book and that there are lingering mysteries to follow in future installments. I'm not fully onboard for the romance in this one (I really think Sonny can do better) but there's enough room here to see where things can go.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.