Little Comfort by Edwin Hill is the first book in the NEW “Hester Thursby” mystery series. Publisher: Kensington, coming Aug 28, 2018.
In a brilliantly twisted debut set among Boston’s elite, Edwin Hill introduces unforgettable sleuth Hester Thursby—and a missing persons case that uncovers a trail of vicious murder . . .
Harvard librarian Hester Thursby knows that even in the digital age, people still need help finding things. Using her research skills, Hester runs a side business tracking down the lost. Usually, she’s hired to find long-ago prom dates or to reunite adopted children and birth parents. Her new case is finding the handsome and charismatic Sam Blaine.
Sam has no desire to be found. As a teenager, he fled his small New Hampshire town with his friend, Gabe, after a haunting incident. For a dozen years, Sam and Gabe have traveled the country, reinventing themselves as they move from one mark to another. Sam has learned how trusting wealthy people can be—especially the lonely ones—as he expertly manipulates his way into their lives and homes. In Wendy Richards, the beautiful, fabulously rich daughter of one of Boston’s most influential families, he’s found the perfect way to infiltrate the milieu in which he knows he belongs—a world of Brooks Brothers suits, Nantucket summers, and effortless glamour.
As Hester’s investigation closes in on their brutal truth, the bond between Sam and Gabe is tested and Hester unknowingly jeopardizes her own safety. While Gabe has pinned all his desperate hopes of a normal life on Hester, Sam wants her out of the way for good. And Gabe has always done what Sam asks . . .
This fast-paced and action-packed drama pulled me in immediately quickly becoming a page turner. Who is Sam Blaine? Who is Gabe? What game are they playing? And it is this game that takes this story on a dangerous path where no one is safe. What should be a simple case of finding a missing brother turns into much more when his nefarious past is exposed and he’ll take whatever steps necessary to maintain his sense of worth.
The mystery was set up nicely keeping me glued to the pages as I had to know what was going to happen next. The author did a great job in presenting the various characters and the pivotal roles they would play in how well this story was being told. From Sam to Hester to Gabe to Kate to Felicia to Morgan to Wendy to Lila all had stakes that set the stage in this tale of intrigue and suspense that was both riveting and grippingly revealing. Every time I thought I had a handle on what was going on, the author changed the direction, taking this to a higher playing field that kept me immersed in every aspect. As the story moved forward, the more intense it became and the frenetic pacing increased as this explosive drama came down to wire. This was a captivating tale and I can’t wait to see where we go next with Hester and her adventures.
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FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.