A Bad Day For Sunshine by Darynda Jones is the first book in the NEW “Sunshine Vicram” traditional mystery series. Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, coming April 7, 2020.

Sheriff Sunshine Vicram finds her cup o’ joe more than half full when the small village of Del Sol, New Mexico, becomes the center of national attention for a kidnapper on the loose.

Del Sol, New Mexico is known for three things: its fry-an-egg-on-the-cement summers, strong cups of coffee—and, now, a nationwide manhunt? Del Sol native Sunshine Vicram has returned to town as the elected sheriff—thanks to her adorably meddlesome parents who nominated her—and she expects her biggest crime wave to involve an elderly flasher named Doug. But a teenage girl is missing, a kidnapper is on the loose, and all of this is reminding Sunshine why she left Del Sol in the first place. Add to that the trouble at her daughter’s new school, plus and a kidnapped prized rooster named Puff Daddy, and, well, the forecast looks anything but sunny.

But even clouds have their silver linings. This one’s got Levi, Sunshine’s sexy, almost-old-flame, and a fiery-hot US Marshal. With temperatures rising everywhere she turns, Del Sol’s normally cool-minded sheriff is finding herself knee-deep in drama and danger. Can Sunshine face the call of duty—and find the kidnapper who’s terrorizing her beloved hometown—without falling head over high heels in love. . .or worse?

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Dru’s Musing:
Imagine your first name is Sunshine. Imagine you are a sheriff. Imagine you moved back to the small town of your childhood. Imagine your daughter has her first day at a new high school and all the angst that goes with it.

Imagine a long-time prediction of doom that does happen. Imagine a past that continues to haunt you. Just imagine a day chock full of emotions and dare someone to interrupt your reading. That’s what you’ll find in this fast-paced and well-written drama that had me completely immersed in all that was happening, quickly becoming a page-turner because I could not put this book down.

The mystery was nicely executed with a solid multi-plot arc that that kept me intrigued as the story moved forward. The main protagonist is a strong-willed, yet have her vulnerabilities that add to the dimensions of her characterization. With pivotal roles having a stake in this tale, it all came to fruition when the pieces started falling into place. There were a few heartbreaking moments that set the stage for an adventure worth the wait. One of the things I liked best was the police blotter that headlined each chapter.

I’m so in love with this group of eccentrically quirky characters that I can’t wait for the second book in this wonderfully, engaging and entertaining new series.

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FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.