NIGHT BLOOM

Fischer’s cozy mystery series starter tells a tale of secrets and second chances, set just outside California’s Yosemite National Park.

Forty-eight-year-old Pepper Rose is moving away from home for the first time. Her father died when she was 13, and Pepper chose to remain at home with her widowed mother, Ruth, in Riverside, California, while her twin sister, Piper, got married after high school, had three children, and moved to Manhattan Beach. When Pepper was 18, she began working as a police station dispatcher; after 30 years on the job, she’s retired and plans to head out to the Bear Springs Campground, a privately owned, family-operated wilderness retreat where she’ll be the camp host and, hopefully, fulfill her dream of living where her family used to vacation. Now it will be Piper’s responsibility to check in on Ruth. When a disgruntled Piper arrives to receive final instructions from her sister, she brings a Labrador puppy for her mom, ignoring the fact that Ruth doesn’t care for dogs. However, the pup is perfect for Pepper; she names him Ranger, and the two embark upon the first adventure of what promises to be an enjoyable, character-driven series. The campground has only 25 sites, but between a few troublesome visitors and the enigmatic employees, there is enough well-paced intrigue to keep the narrative interesting throughout: A missing employee, a rambunctious troop of youngsters, a potential stalker, and a thief, plus a host of family conflicts, provide plenty of excitement, a bit of poignancy, and an ample supply of drama, including budding romances. Pepper, Fischer’s gently acerbic narrator, has a distinctive voice that provides readers with a pleasing mix of snark, angst, and tenderness, and her breezy demeanor suits the novel’s upbeat tone. A few storylines feel a bit saccharine, but readers will consistently have fun keeping company with these likable characters. A final, surprise reveal effectively sets the stage for a sequel.

A tale with minimal tension, but one that provides an engaging and satisfying read.