Revelation: The Makah Island Mysteries Book One

by Amy Drayer

Pulitzer Prize winning investigative reporter Joanna Ford abandons a twenty-year career and moves to rural Makah Island in the Pacific Northwest to care for her ailing wife. She takes a job at the weekly local paper to pay the bills and it’s as mind-numbing as the endless overcast days - she’d trade all the coffee in Seattle for one more shot at a real story.

But when she finally gets that break, she discovers that gravel back roads lead to dark places and devastating secrets. A small community and a way of life forgotten by most lies tangled in a hidden web of deception, drug abuse, and murder. The effects of what she discovers will change the way she thinks about herself and her world. To crack the case and save Makah, Joanna will first have to save herself – to learn from her storied past, and then let it go.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 17, 2020

Reviews

[Laurel Kallenbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's rare to find a mystery that has a compelling plot AND is beautifully written. I didn't want to set this book down, which is why my copy has a few grease and coffee stains. Drayer's characters are vividly imagined, and the plot unfolds at a perfect pace, balancing suspense regarding both the murders on Makah Island and whether Jo Ford will sort out the problems in her personal life. Jo, who is an investigative reporter, has all the character strengths and flaws that make us root for her while worrying that she might destroy her life. (And I sure don't miss the trope of lone-wolf isolation that afflict so many male detectives.) Seeing the world through Jo’s eyes is refreshing, interesting, maddening, and poignant. Also, kudos for infusing the novel with gorgeous descriptions of the Pacific Northwest. Nature itself—the trees, ocean, and clouds—play a major role in this gripping story.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delicious debut novel with a solid mystery and engaging, vulnerably human lead character. The author displays a keen sense of observation (heck, I could smell the wood smoke) and enjoyable ability to succinctly convey information. There's also a real human core to the novel with characters reacting to loss, challenge and change. I also appreciated the addition of a character list and detailed map along with hysterically funny chapter titles. A satisfying read and I eagerly await the next volume.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! A great plot with at compelling main character that I enjoyed getting to know better. Escapist and thoughtful! Just what I want in a mystery!

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the tension in a great mystery novel that makes you simultaneously want to rush through to find out whodunnit and why, while also making you slow down to savor the writing and the characters. This book really gripped me! Enough character development to be really satisfying and to still make me look forward to reading more about them, rich descriptions of the island and island life, and perfectly imperfect humans at every turn. Also, I don’t think I’ve ever laughed out loud at a table of contents before now. Best chapter titles ever! When does book two come out?!? Highly recommend this one.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an extremely well told story, layered and rich in complex characters and an evocative setting. Some may call it impressive for a first time writer but I would say its impressive for any author. As a Sue Grafton fan I am reminded of a protagonist that sounds and acts like a real person and less like the infallible hero/heroine that sometimes appear in mystery novels. I recommend this book and look forward to sequels.

[Kim Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Destined for the NY Times Bestseller list. Brilliantly executed mystery with twists and turns you cannot see coming and an ending that was complete unexpected.

I was devastated to finish the book. Relationships have been formed here. We need a second book in this series.

Brava to this up and coming author

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was enjoyable from start to finish. I love Jo as the flawed protagonist because she's real. Within this mystery, Drayer weaves in a potent commentary about the importance of place, community, and the choices we make. The characters are vivid and multi-dimensional, full of individual mysteries both large and small. The Pacific Northwest is more than a backdrop here --the landscape comes alive with every plot point and narrative detail. This is no clichéd good vs. bad mystery novel, but instead a complex tapestry of characters and environments.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the tension in a great mystery novel that makes you simultaneously want to rush through to find out whodunnit and why, while also making you slow down to savor the writing and the characters. This book really gripped me! Enough character development to be really satisfying and to still make me look forward to reading more about them, rich descriptions of the island and island life, and perfectly imperfect humans at every turn. Also, I don’t think I’ve ever laughed out loud at a table of contents before now. Best chapter titles ever! When does book two come out?!? Highly recommend this one.

[Cindra Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic new series! Sharp wit and realistic characters come together for a perfect PacWest mystery.

[AJ Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Read! Looking forward to the next book.

My favorite thing about this book are the descriptions of the landscape and atmosphere. There's a little bit of everything, from mystery, crime and intrigue.