Quite an interesting read. Traces of the Past is a suspense mystery that is very entertaining.

The story is about Milo finding himself stranded in the desert town of Córdoba. Getting involved with the local cases can only mean trouble.

Quirky characters and a believable storyline make this a book I definitely recommend.

When Milo Fordes a really bad private detective decides to leave San Diego for a small town in Cordoba to help the town's mayor solve some open cases .
Little did he know that a nine year old girl will become his sidekick!

It's refreshing to pick up a book and begin reading it, only to find you've "shot" two hours without even known you were doing it - it's been some time since I've become so engrossed in a main character and the plot (and subplots) that drive this train along so smoothly. This is was a quirky novel, slim and lightly written. Also refreshing to find an author's work not dripping with violence - there is violence afoot, but it's almost all presented as past tense, part of the mystery that needs to be cracked. I look forward to reading more from Mr. Laracy.

As an aside, the cover of the book found here is so much more compelling that what appears to be the self-published cover on GoodReads.

An interesting mystery from an author I have not read before, though the story was slow at times I found it an enjoyable read

Traces Of The Past -This book!!!!!!!... My jaw literally hit the floor when I reached the end of the book… I thought it was absolutely brilliant!... left me questioning everything… I was hooked and left wanting more - a surefire stunner of a read!

Traces of the Past is a gentle mystery with a charming cast of characters set in a compelling town (even if our detective doesn't think so at first!). I say 'gentle' because it has an understated tone that reminds me of Alexander Mccall Smith's books, and to a degree of some of Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie books. The focus here is on the people. The novel starts off slow and stays slow, to a degree, although I personally think the word 'languorous' fits better here--the sort of book you sit with rather than hurry through. If you're looking for a fast-paced mystery that starts bang out of the gate, this might not be the right book for you, but if you want something that builds up via characters and setting, pick this up and settling in for a relaxing afternoon.

An easy read with interesting characters. This feels like a holiday read. This book is well written and the story held my attention the whole way through.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

A good clean fun mystery, not dark or foreboding as the title might imply. Characters are interesting and some quite quirky. I don't recall there being any profanity and there is no explicit adult behaviors, so if there are any un-worldly pre teens out there, they could read it and enjoy as well. Also good for adults who want a good clean simple mystery.
Enjoyable quick read.
Thanks to the author and publishers for the ARC.
I received this book as a complimentary copy for an honest opinion. The opinions expressed are my own.

Please don't stop reading this book after the first part just because you find it too silly. Some ways into the story, it gets better and better, and it really is a very entertaining, and a little deep, book. Not as deep as if you go west from San Diego, however.

A good book, engaging and entertaining.
It's well written, with a cast of interesting characters and a fascinating plot.
The mystery was ok and it kept me guessing.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Meet Milo Forbes ... a private investigator, a little down on his luck in San Diego. He's on his way to Cordova, a very small town full of oddball people ...most notably his good friend, the mayor.

This little community has no theaters, no restaurants other than the diner ... an old railroad card that doubles as the local tavern in the evening hours. There are no cellphones ... no televisions .. it's like a step back in time.

Milo's plan on a short visit fall through when his car can't be fixed by the local mechanic, and towing it to the next biggest town will take a few days.

But that's alright, because Milo is reluctantly hired by his friend to solve some small crimes .. missing magazines from the doctor's office ... a possible prowler... but things escalate when a skydiver falls to his death. Was this an accident .. or attempted murder?

Starting his investigations, he finds himself with a sidekick ---- nine-year-old Sam (Samantha) who wants to be a private investigator when she grows up. Milo also gets to meet a lot of new faces ... strange quirky residents, some with secrets.

Just as Milo has solved the mysteries and found love in the unlikeliest of locales, the discovery of human bones and suspicious activity at Samantha’s boardinghouse threaten to turn his life—and the lives of every Cordoba resident—upside down.

Milo was an unexpected pleasure ... his humor borders on the sarcastic and crosses the line every now and then. Some of the residents are peculiar, to say the least. This is not a particularly suspenseful look at crime, but it is entertaining.

Many thanks to the author / Sunbury Press - Milforn House Press / Netgalley for the digital copy of TRACES OF THE PAST. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.