I quite enjoyed this book set in New Zealand. Some people said there were too many characters in the book which made it confusing. I didn't have any trouble following who's who. A Maori woman returns from London to the town she grew up in after her English husband dies of a heart attack. A few days after her return a local girl goes missing. The whole town gets together to try and find her. Everyone has secrets in this small town and the local policeman has to try and discover how everything is linked and possibly connected to the murders that happened in the town a few years ago. An enjoyable read set in the pretty NZ landscape.

I was already a fan of Singh’s romance (her Psy-Changeling series is arguably the one that blooded me as a romance reader), so I was really excited to get the chance to read this thriller and it ended up becoming a terrific and enthralling summer read. Atmospheric, tense, with an immersive sense of character and setting — plus a little romance which I was thoroughly grateful for. I hope this is only the first thriller of many to come; I was still questioning whodunnit until the very end reveal!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was not ready! This isn't my usual book, but I became enamored with the characters and the setting. IT was great learning more about New Zealand and the amazing scenery there. The characters were all flawed, but for the most part relatable. I wasn't sure who the killer was until the very end, and it was a thrilling finish.

Author Nalini Singh (https://nalinisingh.com) published the novel “A Madness of Sunshine” in 2019. Ms. Singh has published nearly 60 novels.

I categorize this novel as “R” because it contains scenes of Violence. The story is set in Golden Cove on the rugged West Coast of New Zealand. The primary characters are Will and Anahera. Will is the local cop banished to Golden Cove. Anahera the young widow returned to Golden Cove after the recent death of her husband.

Golden Cove attracts tourists during the summer. Tourist season has passed when Anahera returns. She has only arrived when a beautiful and talented local girl, Miriam, disappears. As Will begins to investigate the skeletal remains of another woman are discovered. Speculation is that it is one of the three women who disappeared in the area years before.

Many think Miriama has run off, but those who know her think there has been foul play. Will has so many possible suspects and they are mostly his new friends and neighbors. The more he digs the more secrets he uncovers. Before long Will and Anahera develop an unexpected relationship. The investigation proceeds, but not without danger to them both. 

I enjoyed the 9 hours I spent reading this 352-page mystery novel. I like this novel for its unusual setting. This isn't the most exciting mystery, but it was enjoyable and engaging. I am not a fan of the selected cover art. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.

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A Madness of Sunshine is not romance but a small town romantic suspense and I’m hooked. I highly recommend this one if you’re looking to read something non-romance. It releases on December 3rd so don’t forget to add this to your

Nalini Singh is one of my very favorite authors and I'll read anything she writes. I was very excited to read her first venture into mystery/suspense.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get into it. I will likely try reading the book again in the future but with everything going on in the world right now, the story is just not gelling with my current disposition. My review is neither positive or negative. I'll visit the story again.

Want to hear what a giant failure I've been at blogging lately? I read A Madness of Sunshine in September 2019 and I am only now, in May 2020, writing a review for it. 🤦‍♀️Anyways, better late than never, right? Prior to reading A Madness of Sunshine, I had only read Nalini Singh's contemporary romances (which, by the way, are excellent). I was keen on trying her latest mystery thriller particularly I'm a sucker for a well-written mystery, but also I was curious to see how she would handle the genre switch. There's a reason why Nalini Singh is renowned throughout the book community - she is incredibly talented and truly, this novel is proof that she is one of the most versatile authors of this generation.

Because this is a mystery novel, I'm going to try and keep this review short so that I don't inadvertently reveal all the details and spoil the story for you if you haven't read it yet. A Madness of Sunshine takes place in a small coastal town in New Zealand. This book has to be one of the most atmospheric stories I have read and reading it was a very immersive experience for me because of how wonderfully detailed Singh's description of the town was. It was interesting to see the dynamics of this tight-knit community that seemed to bear a lot of secrets. I was simultaneously nervous and fascinated by the townspeople, the harsh landscape, and all the stories surrounding this town.

The mystery itself was well-presented. A popular and well-loved young woman goes missing and it's up to the main character, Will, to solve the case. This was one of those more slow-burn type mystery that slowly gets revealed throughout the book. I liked how I was never quite sure who to trust and I also wasn't sure if I could trust Will and Anahera, who is recently back in her hometown after years of being away. It added to this tense feeling to the story making it impossible to set it aside. Though it becomes clear who was behind the crime about three-quarters of the way into A Madness of Sunshine, the author did a terrific job at making me second guess myself and the final reveal itself was so nerve-wracking! It made for a terrific reading experience.

As far as the main characters go, they were both beautifully written as I've come to expect from Nalini Singh. Both Will and Anahera carry a lot of baggage and had layers upon layers to their characters. There is a touch of a budding romance between the two, but don't go in expecting this to be an intense romance. It's a slow-burn between two people that had been hurt deeply and who were in the middle of a fairly dark case. I also loved how Nalini Singh gave the victim a voice in this book through the stories that all the townspeople had about her. It made her ending all the more tragic for me.

A Madness of Sunshine was a brilliantly woven mystery for me. I tend to enjoy these intense small-town mysteries a lot and Nalini Singh delivered for me. I hear she is writing another mystery/thriller and I'm excited to read it too!

I enjoyed this romantic suspense novel, with its unique New Zealand setting and incorporation of Maori characters, language and tradition. My only complaint is that I figured out the villain fairly quickly and had to wait for the main characters to catch up.

Though I enjoyed the characters, the romance, and the setting, the pace wasn’t as propulsive as I would’ve liked, and the plot twists were underwhelming.

I really enjoyed this! It is a real departure from what I have previously read and enjoyed by Nalini Singh but engaging and enjoyable nonetheless. It reminded me of The Top of Lake which I also really enjoyed. I tend to like isolated, insular small town settings and Golden Cove is about as isolated and insular as they come. The mystery and character development kept me turning pages. I also enjoyed the romance (supernatural romance is what I have read and loved previously by Ms. Singh) and thought that it felt realistic.

This was an enjoyable, entertaining read with a solid mystery. I liked the characters of Will and Anahera and their relationship with each other. I think the story could have benefited a little more with focus on characters and development. There were a lot of them and at one point, they all kind of blend together.

4 stars

Nalini Singh's A Madness of Sunshine is an about face of her usual fare; nary a shifter or angel in here. However, there is an interestingly prickly heroine whose long journey home is interrupted by young woman's disappearance that forces her to reconnect with her past. New Zealand opens up under Singh's voice, giving readers an intimate look at the island, it's residents, and all the secrets it holds. The tense atmosphere blends perfectly with the investigative mystery with it's varied cast and wonderfully dark undertones.

Nalini Singh is a hit and miss author for me. I love the Guild Hunter series but don't find the Psy Changling series as compelling. And Rock Hard is not my cup of tea at all. I was really curious to see how a romantic suspense set in New Zealand would fare and I'm so glad I took the chance. I enjoyed every minute of A Madness of Sunshine. Interesting setting, likeable characters and a great mystery made for a very engaging read. I highly recommend.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own*

While I enjoyed this book, I can't say I was fully invested. The pages flew by, but I didn't completely care about the outcome? It was a weird feeling to say the least.

And yet, the mystery had me mostly in the dark and the different characters with their different perspectives did add to the story. The writing is flawless and it was interesting reading a book set in a different country (this took me a while to get, but totally made sense).

Do I recommend this one? If you like mysteries, suspense, romantic suspense -- this is totally a book you should pick up.

I was really excited about this book and I'm happy to say it lived up to my expectations. I really enjoy this author but before this I had only read her paranormal stories. This is a contemporary romantic suspense. The romance is a part of the story but the murder mystery is the star of the show.

I loved the New Zealand settings and it's obvious it's written by on own voices author. The setting was so lush and atmospheric. I liked both of the MC's and I thought the mystery was well done. The story kept me on the edge of my seat in places and I read long into the evening to finish this up. I can't wait to read for RS from this author.


**ARC provided through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

The Madness of Sunshine by Nalini Singh is a 2019 Berkley publication.

As a reader of romance, Nalini Singh’s name is recognizable to me, and I have seen her books reviewed by some of my GRs friends. However, I’m not into fantasy romance novels featuring angels and demons, or changelings, so I’ve never read any of her work. However, when I saw the author had tried her hand at writing a straight up mystery suspense novel, it piqued my curiosity.

Singh did an admirable job with her first novel of suspense. The book is not without its flaws, but the story is solid when it comes to premise, mood, atmosphere, and location-

Anahera has returned to her hometown of Golden Cove, a small, secluded enclave in New Zealand after the death of her husband. She hasn't even settled in good when she finds herself swept up in the search for a young, vibrant woman who has vanished without a trace. The woman’s disappearance brings to mind, a summer eight years ago, when several other women also disappeared. Could the two cases be connected?

Will, the law enforcement officer working the case, is wrestling with his own demons, as he relies on Anahera to help him navigate the mysterious interconnections between the residents of the town and the missing woman.

I loved the atmosphere of this book. The mood is tense, with so many secrets and possible motives to explore. The book did have a few weaknesses, however…

I had trouble connecting to Anahera and Will. There’s enough background information provided about each of them, it just wasn’t enough to bring the characters to life for me. The chemistry between the couple felt forced, their dialogue stilted and wooden.

The plot is straightforward, not at all complicated- but there is a good amount of tension hanging in the air, as the reader tries to puzzle out who had the best motive, who may be hiding a secret affair or harboring an unhealthy obsession or jealousy. Some developments are fairly obvious, but there is a nice twist to keep things from being too predictable. However, a seasoned mystery reader may see it coming anyway.

Overall, this is a descent mystery. Because this is the author’s first foray into a new genre, I’m going to go a little easy on her. The story is good- but not great, and there’s nothing here that stands out from countless others like it. That said, it was an enjoyable enough read and I think, with a tighter plot and deeper characterizations, the author could carve out another successful niche for herself.

Singh's first foray into suspense fiction is a gripping success. This book kept me enthralled with its fast pace and character building. The entire book you're left with the feeling that you can't quite trust any of the characters and that the small town of Golden Cove holds many more dark secrets than you could imagine. I've always enjoyed Singh's romances and I'll definitely be picking up her next suspense novel!

I was excited to find out that Nalini Singh came out with a Mystery/Thriller in 2019. I’m trying to read more genres this year, and thanks to the #Romanceopoly2020 Challenge, I’m fulfilling that goal. I know I was going to enjoy A Madness of Sunshine since Nalini is a fantastic writer. Be prepared though there are no paranormal elements in this book. I know a lot of readers enjoy her PNR and Contemporary novels.

A Madness of Sunshine did still have some romance in it, but it was not the center of the story. The main female protagonist, who is introduced in the story, is Anahera. She has moved back to her hometown in New Zealand after her husband passes away. No one expected her to move back because they believed she was living a good life in London with her husband. Unfortunately, she’s forced back to get away from her life in London. She ends up back in her hometown, which is remote in New Zealand, and a young woman has gone missing. The only police officer named Will in Golden Cove is determined to find the missing woman. Will starts realizing though that there is darkness in the town of Golden Cove, and there’s a killer in the small town, and everyone could be a suspect.

Nalini Singh wrote a book that kept me guessing on who could be behind the missing woman in the book. If she was alive or dead or if she left the small town, like Anahera did, especially after finding out about the young woman’s life. It may be a small town, but some of the people there can keep their lives hidden. I enjoyed following the characters Anahera and Will to determine the hidden secrets about the town and its inhabitants. I was not expecting the ending, though when Nalini finally revealed the killer. I also was not expecting the twists and turns in the book. There’s not only the missing woman that Will is determined to find but other women that were killed several years ago in that town that he’s determined to find out what happened to them. Remind me, though, to be very cautious if I ever visit New Zealand with the cliffs and scenery there. Nalini made it seem very scary in this book, but I know from seeing pictures that New Zealand is beautiful. It’s on my goal list to visit New Zealand one day.

I’ve been reading through Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter, and Psy/Changeling series and glad I made time to read A Madness of Sunshine. I give it four stars and recommend it to readers that enjoy Mystery/Thriller stories.

🍷🍷🍷🍷.7 #Review of A Madness of Sunshine by Nalini Singh
Kimberly's Thoughts:

Anahera is going back to her hometown, a place that she never wanted to return to but somehow finds she needs the comfort of. While there, Miriama, a young beautiful girl disappears while out jogging and Anahera finds herself helping the new town cop, Will, uncover the secrets of Golden Cove and it's residents.

She returned home two hundred and seventeen days after burying her husband while his pregnant mistress sobbed so hard that she made herself sick.

In this standalone, Singh has written an intoxicating mystery suspense. The writing was smooth in a way that sucked me in and wouldn't let me go; I was lost in the beautifully dark atmosphere. Readers are pulled in with the character of Anahera, a woman who grew-up in Golden Cove. Her father was an abusive alcoholic who her mother didn't kick out until he began to turn his abuse on Anahera. While she still has friends that live in Golden Cove, it's not a place of happy memories for her. The background Singh creates for Anahera, abusive father, widowhood that surprises her with a husband who cheated on her, and a miscarriage, all perfectly shapes the character we see on the pages, steely contained, strong, and heartfelt willing.

“Everyone has secrets,” he repeated after completing the maneuver. “It's often the people who look like they have no secrets at all who turn out to have the biggest ones.”

While we're led into the story by Anahera, she gives us the lay of the land and townspeople, the emotional aspect, the new town cop Will leads the technical, murder mystery part that takes over the middle of the story. As a reader, I was emotionally locked in the story because of how Singh quickly and thoroughly created a web spun with the townspeople from Anahera's experiences and feelings about them. This made me eager to follow along with Will as he gathered evidence and tries to piece together the how and why about Miriama's disappearance. While I didn't connect as much with Will, he had his own layered backstory of how he ended up in Golden Cove and gave credence to his feelings and actions. The focus of the story is the mystery of Miriama's disappearance but for those looking for it, the bonding relationship that develops between Anahera and Will, infuses the story with a slow burn romance.

That was the thing with this town---the way the gossip flowed, you'd think you knew everything. But there were secrets here, a thick tide of lava beneath the surface.

Along with the atmosphere and emotions evoked, the details that Singh includes made this story a cut above for me. How Will goes about the investigation and the facts and alluding he finds or is told along the way kept my eyes on everyone. When Will finds out that three woman hikers disappeared from the Golden Cove area fourteen years ago too, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. If you weren't feeling the atmosphere as much as I, I could see how the middle could drag a touch, as there might be considered one too many red-herring dancing to and away reasons given out. I also thought the villain(s) reveal started to creep into info dump reveal as it went on a beat too long. The ending also felt abrupt but it could be me just not wanting to say goodbye to these characters. A Madness of Sunshine was a small town mystery suspense that showcased the good, bad, and ugly of a small New Zealand town while chilling me to the soul at times and at others, having me smile through the tears.

I am a big fan of Nalini Singh. She is one of those writers that I pick up her books really without reading the blurb. That being said, I was not a fan of A Madness of Sunshine. Oh, don’t get me wrong, the writing was great like all of her books. The story I just had a hard time getting into. Loved the setting and the premise of the story. It just fell flat for me.
Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. The opinions expressed here are my own.