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FOG AND FURY by Rachel Howzell Hall Kirkus Star

FOG AND FURY

by Rachel Howzell Hall

Pub Date: May 13th, 2025
ISBN: 9781662522840
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

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.