4 out of 4 stars
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A missing person, betrayal, and multiple murders set the stage for Rosemary Reeve's gripping suspense, All Good Things: A Jack Hart Mystery, the first book in a four-part series. The story takes place in 1990s Seattle, and Jack must unravel the mystery without the assistance of current technology.
Jack Hart describes his close friend and colleague, Harmony Piper, as considerate, direct, and responsible, not someone who fails to show up for work at Piper Whatcom & Hardcastle--the law firm where they both practice--without notifying anyone. As one of the last people to see Harmony the previous night, Jack is alarmed when he discovers a small blood stain in her office. Despite Jack's concerns, the police don't get involved until Harmony's father, a former managing partner at the law firm, is discovered murdered. Harmony becomes a suspect in her father's murder, while the police are suspicious of Jack regarding her disappearance. Jack's history with one of the investigating officers deepens his involvement in the case. As the story unfolds, and Jack follows the trail leading to Harmony's disappearance, more questions arise. How is Harmony's disappearance connected to the murders? Can they find her before it's too late?
Told from the first-person narrative by Jack, this well-written mystery moves at a fast pace. Reeve masterfully weaves twists and turns involving the main story with their connection to Jack's backstory. She balances teasers with more significant plot reveals in a way that kept me guessing until the very end. As the first book in a four-part series, the book stands on its own and doesn't leave any loose ends. However, there is just enough of a hint of what's yet to come to entice the reader to read the rest of the series.
The plot is propelled by a cast of well-developed characters, which is the book's strength. Jack, as the protagonist is likable and relatable--even more so as the reader learns about the past he has worked so hard to overcome. Additionally, Reeve does a wonderful job of portraying missing person Harmony's strong female character solely through Jack's perspective. The supporting characters were equally well-developed, including Jack's unusual dog, Betsy. Though man and dog are still adjusting to living together, they share a special bond which is revealed over the course of the book.
There was a lot going on in this page-turning mystery, and I admired the way that Reeve maintained the suspense without any gaps or inconsistencies in the storyline. Her previous experience as an attorney at a large firm in Seattle lent authenticity to the complex mystery. As multiple layers were solved, the conclusions were believable but never predictable. In fact, I can't think of anything that I didn't like or can highlight for improvement. The book was professionally edited, as I noted only a single error. I'm pleased to rate the book 4 out of 4 stars. The book concludes with questions that make it ideal for book clubs. Additionally, I recommend it to mystery and suspense fans. It will also appeal to readers who enjoy legal thrillers.
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All Good Things
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