This is the first novel in a new mystery series from Rachel Howzell Hall, and it’s a great introduction to both the protagonist and the idyllic-on-the-surface town of Haven. As will surprise no one, there’s plenty of ugliness brewing below the surface of this town… This is a solid start to a new series. I enjoyed it.

Sonny Rush has recently relocated from Los Angeles to the small town of Haven, a picture-perfect, “safe” town. After years as an LAPD officer, Sonny has moved because of some incident in Los Angeles that the readers will only learn about as the story progresses. Connecting with her godfather, and former cop himself, she signs on as Haven’s second member of Poole Investigations. However, after the chaotic, fast-paced life of a police officer in the City of Angels, is there really much to keep a PI occupied in peaceful, idyllic Haven? Turns out: yes, there is.

With her first assignment — find Figgy, the goldendoodle — Sonny is quickly thrown into the politics and gossip of a small town. However, Rush’s cop instincts have her focus split as she follows the case of teenage athlete Xander Monroe’s death; found dead on a running trail, no witnesses, no apparent cause of death, everything Sonny hears and sees pings her spidey-sense. It seems as though the local PD are intent on closing the case as quickly and cleanly as possible — labeling it an accident, maybe drug related, but an outlier and unique instance. But is it? Like all the best PI characters, Sonny boldly sticks her nose into the situation, and takes it upon herself to conduct her own investigation (with far more skill and dedication than the locals).

As she looks into Xander’s death, Sonny gets an accelerated introduction to the simmering (and some boiling-over) tensions within the community. All is not well in Haven, and Rush’s status as an outsider places her in the crosshairs of some of the antagonists trying to bend Haven to their will. This, despite her connection to her uncle, who is an established member of the community.

Like many such towns, there is a tension between the long-time residents, whose parents and grandparents helped establish the town; and the newcomers who are fleeing the big cities for a safe and beautiful new home. The town finds itself in a moment of transition — the wealthiest family in town, the Suttons, have grand plans for their community. They want to re-brand and re-vitalize the main street, offering “higher-end” options to residents and visitors. Here, of course, is the root of some of the tensions that ultimately boil over. Making the situation even more delicate is the fact that Cooper and Sonny had a long affair before she moved to Haven. Coop led Sonny to believe that he was on the road to divorce, but upon her arrival in Haven she sees that this is clearly a lie. This forms a distraction for Rush, and ultimately puts our protagonist on a bit of a collision course.

The author does a great job of showing readers the tension between “progress” and “standing still” — not just in small towns, but society in general. The flattening impact of contemporary business thinking, the erosion of individuality and distinction. Ultimately, this is a thriller that examines the reality that people and places are never what they seem, and that one should never judge based on surface appearances (nor first impressions).

The novel is well-paced, the mystery is revealed and investigated at a good clip. Hall’s writing is excellent throughout, and the characters are well-drawn. Overall, this is exactly what I’d expected from a novel by this author, and only reaffirms that each of her new books is a must-read for me. A great start to a new series, I’m really looking forward to the next book set in Haven. I think this will appeal to most fans of mystery fiction.

Recommended.

This is stated to be the first book in a series. The main Character is Sonny a cop who is joining her relatives PI business.

I will disclose This is one of my favorite authors formally reasons and this novels only made my favoritism more firmly cemented.

Sonny is a strong character with real human issues, making her easy for many to relate to. The book deals with real issues such as social justice. This first novel had good twists and turns and it did leave some loose ends which will easily get me to preorder the next in the series. this was a fun read that I fully enjoyed and can't wait to see what the next book offers.

Thank you NetGalley as well as Thomas and Mercer for the advanced readers copy of this title in exchange for an honest review

A small town thriller? Yes, please. This did not let me down. It's fun and thrilling and the twists are twisting. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a chance to read this book.

I love small town mysteries. This book was very fun to read. A beautiful town, with lots of crazy people and corruption. Reminds me of Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen. Great pacing, good character development, and an overall interesting plot. Sometimes it was a bit outlandish, but in a fun way. I liked Sonny as she seemed relatable and realistic. I would read the next book in this series.

I am the early outlier on this one -- it was a little too chaotic of a plot for me! Great characters and potential and of course ends on a cliffhanger that will make me want to keep going, but the writing style was a little all over the place for me.

Alison is moving her mom to the idyllic town of Haven, California to become a PI at her godfather's firm after losing her beloved job as a cop with the LAPD. While the residents of Haven always claim its just "one letter away from heaven" it seems like they are willing to look the other way on a lot of stuff to keep up that image. Including the sudden death of a seventeen year old football star who just moved into town with his parents. The cops don't seem too interested in finding out if there was foul play involved in Xander's death -- but Alison sure is.

There were a lot of interesting parts of this plot, but I didn't feel like any one of them were explained thoroughly enough to get truly hooked. I felt like every new piece of information was a surprise but not in a "oh wow!" kind of way but in a "wait, what?" kind of way. Just ping ponged all over the place -- hoping book two will have a bit more structure!

I’ve not read this author before and I really enjoyed this book. I’m glad it’s the first in a series because I can’t wait to find out what else happens in Haven.

Picture perfect small town with deadly secrets?!? Threats?!?! Murder?!?! Everybody scetchy?!?! Yes please! This started slow for me with the investigation to the missing dog. Especially when there was also a local teenage football player found dead on a running trail. I just didn’t understand why are we wasting pages on the dog…until of course it all came together!!

This is the first book to a new series and I’m pretty sure I’m hooked! Mostly because I love the FMC. Sonny is very much a bad ass that doesn’t take non-sense and her mouth is slick. The character development on learning who she is and the journey of her dealing with the care of her aging mom, her love life trying blow up, and career changes were mastered by Rachel.

While I did some-what predict the ending, I couldn’t have seen that cliff hanger coming. I’m dreading the wait for the follow up seeing as though the pub date for this one is May 13th😩🫠

This is an author that I have recently discovered and enjoy reading her books very much. I am excited that this is the first book in a series. I found the characters likable and I can’t wait to see what happens to them next. I am hooked in this author and this series. I can’t wait for the rest of the books to come out.

This is the start of a new series and I am so here for it!

The author gives us a lovely little heaven of a town. It’s just picture postcard perfect…on the surface. But under that surface? Oh, the rot!

Sonny, our MC, is delightful. Some people don’t like the author’s characters, but I think this one will sway those naysayers. She’s still strong and feisty, but she’s also vulnerable and relatable – and her mom! I love her!

The relationship is…interesting. I have opinions on Mr. man here, but I’ll let you read the book for yourself.

Now – certain readers may find there to be too much talk of race and politics. Those readers can go read something else. The main character is one of 5 (sort of) Black characters in this isolated little town and, yes, race will play a role.

An excellent book and the start to a fabulous series. Next book, please!

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read Fog and Fury by Ravhel Howzell Hall, the first entry in a new series - I can't wait to read the next one already!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Rachel Howzell Hall's "Fog and Fury" is a riveting thriller that immerses readers in a world of suspense, tension, and unrelenting mystery. Hall, a master of the genre, crafts a narrative that is as atmospheric as it is gripping, combining intricate plotting with deeply engaging characters.

This story is set against the backdrop of a fog-shrouded city, where the murkiness of the environment mirrors the obscured truths that the protagonist must uncover. Hall's use of setting is superb, creating a sense of claustrophobia and unease that permeates the entire novel. The fog itself becomes a character, almost a living entity that hides secrets and heightens the tension.

The protagonist, a determined and resourceful investigator, is a standout feature of the novel. Hall expertly develops her character, revealing her strengths, vulnerabilities, and the personal demons she must confront. Her journey is both a physical and emotional one, as she battles external threats and her own inner turmoil. The character's complexity adds a layer of depth to the story, making her relatable and compelling.

Hall's writing is sharp and evocative, with a pacing that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The plot twists and turns are expertly executed, ensuring that the suspense never lets up. Each revelation adds another piece to the puzzle, drawing readers deeper into the mystery. The dialogue is crisp and realistic, enhancing the authenticity of the characters and their interactions.

One of the book's strengths is its exploration of themes such as justice, redemption, and the human capacity for both good and evil. Hall delves into the moral gray areas that her characters inhabit, challenging readers to consider the complexities of right and wrong. This thematic depth elevates the novel beyond a simple thriller, offering a thought-provoking reading experience.

The supporting cast of characters is equally well-drawn, each bringing their own unique perspectives and secrets to the story. Hall's attention to detail in their development adds richness to the narrative, making the world of "Fog and Fury" feel fully realized and immersive.

" Fog and Fury: A Thriller" by Rachel Howzell Hall is a masterful work that will captivate fans of the genre and newcomers alike. Hall's skillful storytelling, atmospheric setting, and complex characters combine to create a novel that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. This is a book that will linger in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned, a testament to Hall's talent as a storyteller.

Thanks to NetGalley to allowing me to read this early! My heart is happy once again with another Rachel Howzell Hall mystery and a main character who is complicated but AMAZING in every way! Sonny was full of sarcasm, angst, grit, & just realism. I’m sooooooo looking forward to this series - I love the way Rachel twists and turns the storylines she writes. Each chapter leaves you with so many theories and you get to side-eyeing everyone - I LOVE IT!

Fog and Fury is a gripping thriller that will have you hooked from the first page. Set against a moody, atmospheric backdrop, this story masterfully combines suspense, sharp twists, and unforgettable characters.

The protagonist, driven by secrets and desperation, pulls you into a high-stakes plot where every decision feels life-or-death. Hall’s writing is taut and evocative, perfectly capturing the tension and unease that builds as the story unfolds.

The pacing is nonstop, there’s enough depth to the characters to make you care about their fates. If you love thrillers with dark, twisty plots and richly drawn settings, Fog and Fury will not disappoint.

Thank you to Rachel Howzell Hall and NetGalley for the ARC!

Rating: 4.5/5
Recommendation: Ideal for fans of atmospheric, fast-paced thrillers with strong, complex leads.

Small town secrets, betrayals, lies, infidelities, abuse, and racism weave through a complex mystery with multiple subplots and memorable characters. Gripping and addictive ... you may figure out some of it, but not all. Some closure at then end, with a tease to be continued.

Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer books for this ARC for review. This is the first book in a thriller/detective series and I’m into it! I have not read any books by this author before and this was a good one to start off with. Sonny Rush just moved to Haven, California after 10years on the job with the LAPD. She is now a PI and it should an easier gig than what she was doing in LA, but before she knows it, she’s run into her wealthy ex in town, found a teenage dead body and things are getting more complicated and mixed up by the minute!! I will definitely be continuing with this series as I enjoyed reading about the mishaps of Sonny and the interesting town of Haven.

This was a strong start to the Haven Thriller series, it had that elmeent that I was looking for and was engaged with what was going on. The characters had that feel that I wanted and enjoyed how they were used in this story. Rachel Howzell Hall wrote this perfectly and was glad everything worked well overall.

This is the beginning of a new series and honestly I'm here for it! Alyson has made a bad impression and someone out there is not a fan of all her questions..so she starts getting threatening messages. So many questions left unanswered regarding the killers identity.

Fog and Fury by new to me author R. Howzell Hall is the first book in the new Haven Thriller Series.
An unptdownable pageturner that had me in suspense from start till the last page. 4.5 stars.
Blurb: She’s a new PI in a beautiful seaside town. It’s dirtier than it looks—and more dangerous too.
After ten years on the force, LAPD cop Sonny Rush relocates with her elderly mother to peaceful Haven, California, to join her godfather’s burgeoning PI business. What crimes could possibly happen in a town nicknamed “Mayberry by the Sea”? Sonny’s first case: find Figgy, a missing goldendoodle last seen sporting a Versace collar. At least scouting out a dognapper gives Sonny a chance to get to know her new neighbors.
Forty-eight hours in town and Figgy’s disappearance entangles Sonny in an unwelcome reunion with her ex, one of Haven’s wealthiest citizens. And when the body of a teenage boy is found along a popular hiking trail, Sonny is drawn into a web of strange beyond anything she ever saw in LA.
Then comes a local’s warning: question everything. Haven hides secrets that could destroy its idyllic facade. Or destroy Sonny first.

When I saw that this new book by Rachel Howzell Hall was the start of a series I was very intrigued. She's been writing great standalones but I was excited by the possibility of a new series. Book one does not disappoint. Sonny Rush, former LAPD and new PI, arrives in a seemingly perfect small town called Haven ready to start a new chapter in her life. Her godfather's PI business gives her a chance to regain her confidence her own investigative skills. However, her first case is to find a rich family's missing dog, which she finds underwhelming. Nonetheless she asks about the dog around town, hoping to meet her new neighbors. What she doesn't expect is the twisted secrets that lie underneath the town's facade. When a local teenager is found dead on a nearby walking trail Sonny can't help but ask questions. Why is the local paper not reporting about the death? Was the death a homicide or suicide? She so0n finds out that Haven is hiding dangerous secrets and perhaps dangerous people. I love Rachel's books and this one ends on a cliffhanger, setting up book 2. Sonny is a memorable, complicated character who hooks the reader from the first chapter. I can't wait for the next one. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

If intrigue and fearlessness are your thing, look no further!
A former LAPD Homicide detective finds herself in an interwoven whose-done-it, with so many well thought out plots that leave you hanging! I loved the daring, sassy, and headstrong MC; and the townspeople with their own dark stories unfold just enough to wonder but not enough to ruin future books in this series.

The main story line, a murdered 17 yr old POC that everyone wants to sweep under the rug, is relatable and moderately easily to figure out half way through the book. But the writing style and characters still keep you hooked. In a town that is not what it seems to be, who will come out on top?

Definitely a 3.75 or 4/5 star book. I really enjoyed this ARC from Howzell Hall, and Thomas & Mercer Publishing!