Sergeant Riley Fisher is the recently promoted head of the Field Investigations unit of the Sheriff’s Office in Black Hawk County, Iowa. When she’s called to the scene of a murder victim in the corn fields of one of the families who are part of the Zephyr cooperative, she was completely unprepared for knowing the woman’s identity. She was Chloe Miller, one of her two best friends when she was a young teen. It brings back a flood of wonderful and terrible memories of a time that changed her destiny.
One of the things that worked about this story was the fallibility of Riley and the small town department of deputies. This wasn’t a simple murder and there were lots of tentacles that led to complex issues and circumstances. Riley had good instincts but her inexperience as a leader led to some crucial mistakes. It felt realistic, no matter how frustrated I got with her because these were explosive issues well above the skill set of her team. Yes, they made mistakes but they were methodical and competent in their approach.
There was a lot of focus on agricultural issues related to big corporations and their dominance over small farmers who have family legacies and histories. I learned a lot about those issues and am grateful my hubby, who spent twenty years supporting them, was able to help on background. While the author may have shown some bias, she got the issues right. It was an education I didn’t know I wanted. Riley was also hampered by her own personal baggage that threatened to negatively interfere with the investigation but it just reflected her humanity. The story also has a strong sense of place, almost overly so as the descriptions often bogged down the mystery elements. But, it still made for an intriguing story that kept me interested. This is the first of a new series and while some things about Riley’s past were resolved, there was quite a bit more that left me hanging. It’s a strong start to promising series and I’m committed to the next book.
Book Info
- Release Date: January 25, 2022
- Series: Riley Fisher #1
- Page Numbers: 348
- Publisher: Flatiron Books
Goodreads | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Book Depository
(Thanks to Macmillan for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Blue Mood Café 
I’m glad you enjoyed this one too. It does teach you a lot about farming, doesn’t it? I feel so much smarter now. Excellent review, Jo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Tessa💜 You inspired me to keep going. I’ve listened passively to hubby about all things agricultural for years and this book made me pay closer attention.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I come from a farming family so those parts interest me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is that book, Amber💜 The farming aspect is a critical part of the mystery. I think you’d love this.
LikeLike
Fab review Jo sounds intriguing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Nicki💜 It’s quite a different kind of mystery.
LikeLike
Black Hawk County IOWA! I’ll have to read this one. I went to college in this area and was raised not far from here. Fantastic review!
Anne – Books of My Heart
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Anne💜 I thought you’d lived in Iowa for a time. The town for the setting Is Cedar Falls. The author clearly did her research.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s where I lived for my undergrad years at UNI and also working for John Deere in the summers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This definitely sounds like a promising start to a new series. I’m intrigued by the focus on agricultural issues and like that it sounds well researched.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Suzanne, that’s definitely a strong focal point of the story and it’s important. I learned a lot.
LikeLike
It sounds like it was a bit heavy at times, but I’m glad you enjoyed it Jo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Carla💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have my eye on this one, although I am so very grateful to our wonderful farmers, I really know nothing about what they have to do, other than work hard. BTW I just joined The Produce Box which delivers fresh local farmer grown produce to your door. (I chose the organic box)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Marialyce, I think you’d appreciate the educational aspect of is story. I didn’t think I would but it is well done.
I used to get the weekly Produce Box but stopped because my stuff was going bad (I wasn’t cooking much back then). May need to reconsider…
LikeLike