Last updated on May 31, 2024
Author’s blurb:
SSA Rain Christiansen used to be the agency’s golden boy. It just takes one moment of weakness, one slight, tiny, itty-bitty paranormal sighting, and all of a sudden he’s the agency’s embarrassment. His boss gives him one last chance to redeem himself—go down to Brickell Bay, play nice with the local police, and leave the ghost sightings behind. Rain is determined to do exactly that, even if it kills him.
Cold-case detective Daniel McKenna’s latest investigation is going nowhere fast. Five years earlier, high school student Amy Greene went missing after leaving her part-time job and was never seen again. Daniel is glad to finally have the FBI help that his department requested, even if it does come in the form of his ex.
It doesn’t help that Rain is pretty sure he’s falling in love with Danny all over again—if he ever stopped. Add to that the frustration of seeing ghosts at every turn while he works a case that’s stalled in its tracks, and Rain is starting to wonder if second chances and happy endings are just for fairy tales.
This book was snarky and sarcastic and gritty and pissed off and wonderful.
It opens with our main character stepping into an elevator and having a hurried and frustrated conversation with the persistent ghost waiting for him. I loved this introduction to Rain. It’s also a great introduction to Ethan, the ghost who becomes a character representation of how well Rain is dealing with this whole seeing-ghosts thing.
The mystery plot is strongly written, revolving around a cold case that Rain is forced into so his boss can get him out of the way until everybody decides he has his shit together. He’s given the choice of several, but chooses the one that takes him back to his home town; this is why he runs into his ex and how we get to meet his awesome but weird family.
I was expecting more romance when I started this book, but I’m not disappointed in what I got instead. The relationship plot line was strong and realistic, it just wasn’t…traditional, feel-good romance. But romance of the sweet feel-good variety wouldn’t have fit with these characters or this book’s atmosphere anyway. The earthy, regret-filled, complicated roller coaster Harmon gives us is way better than anything that would have fit my expectations.
If you like gritty mystery novels with ghosts and reunited lovers, I highly recommend this one. There is a sequel, but I haven’t finished it yet so I have no conclusions on it for you.