I can't wait to find out what happens in book 2 of this series!

Just one caveat needs to accompany this book: prepare to be saddened, deeply, by the losses within. But the author herself has a unbiased narrative outlook, except when it comes to her main character/detective DCI Simon Serrailler, who is handsome, appropriately remote, and a successful artist on the side.

Another warning: as this is, I assume, the author's first mystery (other novels are listed pre-title page, but I haven't discovered their content yet) and the first in this series, do expect over-writing and cliches. But they never override the story or get in the way of her keen observations of character--and her ability to follow her characters' thoughts in the moment, which keeps the suspense high.

Thanks to my goodreads friend (and work buddy) Eileen for suggesting this one!