Delightful characters and a gripping mystery which has you asking who dunnit. A delightful book to read it is mysterious and funny.

It is 1971, and Inspector Philip Steele is mentally exhausted and is looking forward to a well-deserved rest with his godmother who lives in a small town in the Appalachians of Atlantic Canada. But when a bank robbery and a teenage boy is murdered he is called back to service to solve this mystery as more shocking events follow. Things get even more complicated when he falls in love with the prime suspect...

A rich story with good characters who have a real sense of individuality to them and great diversity. It is a great beginning for a new series and all the more impressive for being a debut novel. It has humor, a touch of romance, self-discovery, intelligence and some action as well. I definitely look forward to reading more of this series.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in return for an honest opinion.

It’s 1970 in Victoria Canada and consulting national detective Philip Steele is taking a well-deserved break due to burn out. He goes to stay with the only family he has left and that’s his godmother .J.F. The ones quiet village has shut Anderson the local constable running around like a chicken with its head cut off no matter how hard Philip choice to stay out of it the powers that be insist he get involved. First it starts with the bank robbery then the local teen bully Oliver is found shot in the heart in the murders don’t stop there but what does stop his leads and Philip doesn’t know which way to go. They do however arrest a local teacher for suspicion of murder and after Philip reads her diary instead of thinking she’s guilty he thinks her funny can’t help but be attracted to her and his day only gets worse from there. I loved this book I hope they have more books with Detective Phillip Steele in them I love his partner Woody, his godmother in so many other characters they were wonderful and I am not a big crime mystery fan but I would definitely read the second book if this became a series. I love a mystery book with old fashion detective work and that’s exactly what this is and I highly recommend it. I received this book from net galley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Black Rose Writing and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own..

Great mystery with likable characters.