WHITE NIGHTS (2022) - Review

White Nights by Deb Davies
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Author Deb Davies' debut mystery "Northern Lights" was published in 2020, the first book of a trilogy called A Coast to Coast Michigan Mystery. Make sure to read the first book before you pick up "White Nights". It is definitely not a standalone.

FIRST SENTENCE: "To Old friends", Charles proposed, raising his glass toward Claire, Arnie, and Laurel.

THE STORY: While on vacation in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, friends Laurel and Arnie and Claire and Charles become involved with a suspicious death and an abandoned dog. Arnie, a policeman on leave, is asked to help the local constable who suspects the death is not a suicide. Unfortunately someone is not happy with the investigation and the four friends end up in grave danger.

WHAT I THOUGHT: This is an adult novel and like "Northern Lights", it reads like a literate mystery combined with a violent thriller. In some ways the story is less of a mystery and more of a picture of the people and places in Michigan. The author is "passionate about rescued animals and nature", so those topics find their way into the story as well as kidnapping, violence, sexual innuendoes, and cruelty. Michiganders will recognize places, products, and traditions the author weaves throughout the book. Some readers will enjoy the fact that the narrative veers off into subjects unrelated to the mystery. Some may not.

BOTTOM LINE: RECOMMENDED but start with "Northern Nights".

DISCLAIMER: I received a free e-copy of "White Nights" by Deb Davies from NetGalley/BHC Press for my honest review.

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