Publishers Weekly
01/09/2023
The discovery of Madison Garcia’s stabbed body in a parked car drives McCreary’s uneven sequel to 2021’s The Disappearance of Trudy Solomon. Despite a miserable cold, Det. Susan Ford of the Monticello, N.Y., PD responds to the call to the crime scene. Susan knows Madison’s parents died under troubling circumstances when she was a teenager, their bodies found by her then-boyfriend, local bad-boy Rafael Garcia. Given this history, Susan requests that her father, retired detective Will Ford, consult on the case. Suspects are plentiful, some with grudges going back years. Jacob Bowman, Madison’s business partner, would benefit financially from her death. Jacob is also under investigation for money laundering; Madison was getting in his way. Sarah Steinberg knifed a girl in high school, and she blamed Madison for stealing Rafael from her. Did Sarah finally get back at Madison? Camilla, Rafael’s twin, has several reasons to want Madison dead. The strong father and daughter pairing makes up only in part for a convoluted plot that stalls under the weight of too many characters with too many good reasons to do the dreadful Madison in. Hopefully, McCreary will return to form next time. (Mar.)
From the Publisher
"A gripping mystery of long-hidden, family secrets that features a fierce and utterly unforgettable female detective. McCreary's crime novel simmers with astonishing prose and clever craftsmanship. This classic who-done-it with a modern edge and whole lot of heart grabs the reader and does not let go." Natalie Symons, award-winning author of Lies In Bone "Thoroughly engrossing, Marcy McCreary's The Murder of Madison Garcia is a detective novel with enough potential suspects and twists to keep you guessing until the last page." Emilya Naymark, author of Behind The Lie "Dark yet heart-felt, the second novel in this tense series is filled with long-buried secrets and surprises, right up to the shocking ending. Come for the deft plotting, but stay for the characters, including Detective Susan Ford and her father, Will, a former detective, who band together to solve this complex crime. A terrific series!" Edwin Hill, author of The Secrets We Share A well-crafted and riveting mystery sprinkled with red herrings and filled with compelling characters. A perfect police procedural that will have readers rooting for Susan and her father every step of the way." K. L. Murphy, author of Her Sister's Death and the Detective Cancini Mysteries "This book has it all. An intriguing mystery, masterful storytelling, and an engaging cast of characters. An outstanding book from one of mystery's new stars. McCreary knocked this one out of the park." Michael Bradley, author of None Without Sin
