Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Bestseller Hall (The Last One) delivers a promising series launch centered on ex-cop Sonny Rush. Sonny has left the LAPD after a decade to move to the supposedly tranquil beach town of Haven, Calif. She's excited to start a new career as a PI, working for her godfather, former detective Ivan Poole. But she's crestfallen when her first assignment--tracking down Figgy, a missing goldendoodle--puts her in contact with her ex-lover, Cooper Sutton, who lied to Sonny about being divorced when they were together. Meanwhile, teenage athlete Xander Monroe is found dead on a Haven jogging trail with a note in his pocket that reads, "A beautiful place to die." Xander's distraught parents hire Sonny to confirm their suspicion that he was murdered. Sonny's digging reveals that Haven's idyllic reputation is far from the truth, with networks of corruption undergirding the entire town. Though the subject matter is familiar, Hall draws Sonny--and Haven--with enough nuance and complexity to make things feel fresh. Readers will be eager to return to this series soon. Agent: Jill Marsal, Marsal Lyon Literary. (May)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
In a desperate attempt to salvage her life, former LAPD homicide detective Alyson "Sonny" Rush accepts an offer from Ivan Poole, her godfather, to join him as a private investigator in the charming Northern California town of Haven. When they move to Haven, Sonny and her mother, Val, who has early-onset dementia, become part of a small group of Black families in town. Sonny's first case involves Figgy, a stolen goldendoodle belonging to London and Mackenzie Sutton, who turn out to be the wife and daughter of Sonny's wealthy lover, Cooper Sutton, who'd told her he was divorced. It turns out he was lying, and Sonny is embarrassed and angry to find out that she "would already have an ex-boyfriend in Haven." Although Ivan's sure that Mackenzie stole Figgy herself, desperate for some attention from her parents, Sonny is determined to find the dog--but she's more sharply focused on Ivan's investigation into the death of a Black teenager that the local police have dismissed as suicide. Xander Monroe was an "A" student in high school and a star running back recruited by several colleges. His parents relocated to Haven to protect him from the negative influences of Los Angeles. The inadequate police investigation into his death prompts Sonny to do her own, leading her to receive threatening messages and poisoned cupcakes. Cooper, a real estate developer, wants to market Haven as a safe haven for new investors, but his ambitious plans face opposition from local business owners unwilling to meet his financial demands. Sonny must use information from the incriminating files Ivan has collected on the seemingly perfect citizens of Haven if she's to solve her cases, maintain her sanity, and ensure her survival. This captivating blend of angst, mystery, and page-turning suspense delivers a top-notch reading experience. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
