Reviewed by Jeanne
Hadley Cooper is a private investigator with a complicated
background. While riding her bike on Sullivan’s Island, she sees a dog chase a
seagull into the surf where it is caught by a rip tide. The dog’s owner starts to rush in after him,
but Hadley stops her and goes in using a surfboard she found. Eugenia Ladson,
the dog’s grateful owner, insists on taking Hadley to her house to clean up and
dry off. When she learns that Hadley is a PI, she hires her to investigate
Everette Ladson, her estranged husband, whom she suspects is cheating on her.
Hadley accepts, having had previous experience in these sorts
of cases. She observes her suspect,
formulates a plan, and starts her surveillance.
Before she can get concrete evidence, a murder stops her plans. One of
the investigating officers is Hadley’s ex, Cash, who is generally one of the
“good guys”—but this time Hadley is sure he has arrested the wrong person.
Anyone who has looked at my reviews know I read a lot of cozy
mysteries so I’m well acquainted with the formula. As a first in series book,
there is going to be a lot of set-up going on—introducing characters,
locations, and situations that are going to play out over the long haul. Boyer
does this very well, weaving them into the story in a way that keeps the plot
going and the reader interested instead of bogging down.
The mystery was well-plotted and intriguing, and Boyer does a
good job with setting, but the book’s real strength is in the characters.
Hadley had a very close relationship with her mother, Vivienne, who passed away
from cancer when Hadley was 17. Before she died, she revealed the identity of
Hadley’s father—the wealthy Swinson who apparently did nothing to help Vivienne
during her illness, so Hadley is not inclined to cut him any slack. She does
love his son, her half-brother; she and J.T. actually have birthdays just a
couple of days apart. Hadley also a number of friends and mentors in her life.
Boyer has a talent for creating memorable characters, and I had no trouble
keeping track of everyone. I also found the
book emotionally satisfying, and the touches of humor were just right.
One feature I enjoyed is that occasionally the reader hears
directly from Mrs. Josephine Huger who is an eyewitness to some events and who
relates them in a breathless, gossipy fashion that really brings the scenes to
life.
I also liked that we learn a bit about PI tricks of the trade,
so to speak. Hadley is a professional;
she comes prepared to do surveillance, both old school with changes of outfits,
and with up-to-date technology.
There were a couple of times early in the book where I thought
things were a little off and just chalked it up to a cozy’s wish
fulfilment. However, I have to say that
as the story went on, some of my questions were answered. Others became
unimportant as I become more invested in the characters. By the end, I was not only totally on board,
but I’m ready for the next book to see what my new best friends have been up
to.
Note: According to
Susan Boyer’s blog on Goodreads, this is the first book in her “un-series” by
which she means that the books are about a group of characters. Each book can
be read as a standalone and will focus on a different character, mostly women
of different ages.
Full disclosure: I
received an Advance Reader Copy of the book with no stipulation of a review,
favorable or otherwise.
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