Tangled Darkness

by M.M. Desch

A psychiatrist facing career-ending allegations investigates a murder to prove innocence, discovering she and the victim are pawns in a criminal scheme.

“Exquisite tension drives a memorable, revealing plot.”
-Midwest Book Review

When a psychiatric clinical assistant turns up dead, Dr. Leslie Schoen finds herself a suspect in the case—and facing allegations which could destroy her career.

As Detective Davis works the investigation, Leslie launches her own inquiries. She soon uncovers deception and illegal schemes involving stolen prescription opioids. It seems everyone around her is hiding something, and as she gets closer to the truth, the threats against her escalate. She struggles with keeping dangerous information from her pregnant wife, Izzy, and knows she needs to confront traumatic demons from her own past. But as she delves deeper into a web of lies, one thing becomes clear: someone will do anything to keep their criminal plans in the shadows.

With her family and even her life on the line, Leslie must outwit those who want her silenced before it’s too late. No one’s motives are what they seem, and the killer may be closer than anyone thinks.

In a twisted web of lies, she's either the spider or the fly.

Fans of Freida McFadden, Lucinda Berry, and Patricia Cornwell will enjoy "Tangled Darkness" by MM Desch.

Genres: Mystery

333 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2025

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tangled Darkness is a well-written and compelling murder mystery written by debut author, M.M. Desch. I rarely read medical themed stories, but I was intrigued with the premise of this novel.

Psychiatrist Leslie Schoen becomes a suspect within her clinic when heavily guarded opioids turn up missing, and one of her colleagues is murdered.

Keeping track of all the various characters within the clinic was a challenge for me in the beginning, but eventually sorted out as I focused more on the dynamics within the medical clinic, the murder investigation and the solution.

The author's personal and professional background lends credibility to the novel. The characters and themes were well developed and the final resolution believable.

Finally, it's enjoyable to read a novel with well-written lesbian characters in a loving relationship that rings emotionally true.

Thank you BookSirens and MM Desch for my advance copy. I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

About a 2.75 ⭐️ rounded up for me. I reallyyy wanted to love it—so many tropes/elements I either relate to or love reading about: psychiatry, medical malpractice, legal drama/accusations, a wlw relationship, a dog, even a character from Wisconsin lol! But the slow pacing & overly detailed descriptions made it tough to stay engaged. Of the 50 most recent books I’ve read (all similar length), most take me about 3 days to complete—this took me 3 weeks to get through the first 2/3rds. It picks up toward the end, I just wanted more overall.

Likes:
• Clear writing with vivid imagery
• Author’s clear medical background shines through
• The mystery kept me guessing until the end—I had no idea “whodunnit”!

Dislikes:
• Too descriptive without much happening
• Not super invested in the characters
• Lacked the plot twists & tension I hoped for

That said, if you’re interested in the themes mentioned above, you might still enjoy it—I’m just one opinon! This book releases in just 2 days, on July 15—check it out!

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[The Lesbian Library (Maddy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tangled Darkness is a novel that will make you double-check your doors are locked at night and trust no one. Between the tense confrontations and the escalating threats, you will be invested from page one. Fans of Eyes on Her and Rainbow Black, you are in the right place!

The novel follows Dr. Leslie Schoen as she attempts to clear her name of a false accusation…that she stole opioids from her clinic mate. Which is especially damaging given a past she has tried very hard to forget. And to her dismay, her assistant turns up dead of an apparent heroin overdose shortly after. To prove her innocence, Leslie inserts herself into the investigation and attempts to dredge up anything that will exonerate her, while battling her sobriety. But as she gets closer to the truth, the less sure she is of her and her pregnant wife’s safety. However, neither of them can even begin to guess how deep this web of secrets and lies will go until it’s already too late.

This book has a great compilation of characters that all felt distinct and unique. I enjoy how it switches POVs often. It keeps the reader on their toes, never knowing what to expect. Although they were initially hard to keep track of, I had them down by about fifty pages in. The details are also great at setting the scene and mood. It truly was the little things in this book that stood out to me and gave it depth. Although I am not a huge fan of how the plot plays out or the pacing, I think it’s something thriller fans will enjoy.

All in all, this blood-pumping read will have you reading late into the night. From the murder investigation to the personal conflicts, you will be intrigued. If you love multi-povs and high stakes, you are in the right place. Happy reading!

Thank you to M.M. Desch for sending an ARC for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC. This book was entertaining enough, though its plot didn't blow me away. It was mostly a matter of 'when will x happen?' rather than 'I wonder what will happen?' but the characters were generally nice people and they were fairly enjoyable to read about.

[Shannon bagnall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book. The plot had all the themes I usually love : a queer woman, an adorable dog-baby, workplace corruption, and a protagonist who won’t back down from the truth. It should have been everything.

But the writing style just wasn’t for me. There were whole sections that felt kind of pointless or like they were trying too hard to be deep when I just wanted to get to the actual story. I kept waiting for it to pick up, but it never fully did.

I did love how it showed the main character battling her own demons and her past

There were moments where the tension built great , especially once a worker from the clinic dies and our main character starts digging into the corruption swirling around her workplace

It was still a good read and I’d still recommend to someone who enjoys a slower burn

*full disclosure I was given this book in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley*

[Wall-to-wall books - wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic read from this new author!

I very quickly grew to love the two main characters, Leslie and Izzy! They were very relatable to me. I feel like I could have been friends with them.

I felt like I was a fly on the wall and I loved it. I loved seeing every single part of this and loved getting inside everyone’s conversations. Even the detectives working on the case, I felt very much a part of their investigation. I really appreciated knowing what they were thinking. They actually noticed, when interviewing a suspect, if they seemed off or weird or noticed when they flinched. I didn’t feel like I had to yell at them at any point during the book! So many times in books you don’t get to see that part and you’re constantly feeling like the detectives are not doing their job until the very end. I like seeing the whole process.

It got very exciting and intense towards the end and I did not want to stop reading. Quite a few gasp worthy moments.

This book felt very real to me. It wasn’t overdone, it wasn’t underdone. It had a lot of emotion and I felt all those emotions. I was very invested in Leslie and Izzy‘s relationship and I loved them both. I felt the love, the anger, the weariness, I felt them being scared, and I felt their pain and joy. I will miss them! But, on to more books from this author. At least I hope there will be more!

I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Partners in Crime Tours. Thank You!

[Kristen C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a a great book, psychological tension and genuinely unsettling moments kept me reading for hours.

[Rachel Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tangled Darkness is the kind of psychological thriller that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go until the final page. I finished it in one breathless stretch because every chapter felt like another layer of danger peeling back, revealing even darker secrets beneath.

Dr. Leslie Schoen is a brilliantly written protagonist flawed, intelligent, and deeply human. From the moment she’s implicated in the murder of her clinical assistant, the tension skyrockets. You can feel her fear, her frustration, and that desperate need to protect both her career and the people she loves. What I loved most is that she doesn’t wait around for answers she digs for them, even when every clue seems to drag her deeper into a web meant to trap her.

The opioid theft scheme adds a gritty, realistic edge to the story. Nothing feels exaggerated or sensationalized it’s the kind of crime you know happens in the real world, which makes it all the more chilling. Every character seems to be hiding something, and it kept me constantly guessing who was truly dangerous and who was just scared.

Leslie’s relationship with her pregnant wife, Izzy, adds such an emotional weight to the suspense. The guilt, the secrecy, the fear of putting her family in danger it grounds the story in a way that makes every threat feel personal. There were moments I found myself tensing up, genuinely worried for both of them.

Detective Davis is another fascinating layer to this novel. Watching her investigation unfold alongside Leslie’s private inquiries creates this dual momentum that amps up the suspense beautifully. The pacing never drags, and every time I thought I had the killer figured out, the plot twisted again.

By the time the truth came out, I realized just how cleverly planted all the clues had been. The final reveal hits hard, and the danger feels immediate and terrifying.

This is a tight, tense thriller with sharp writing, unforgettable characters, and a dark, tangled mystery that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

[Debra Crowder]

At the center of the novel is Dr. Leslie Schoen, a psychiatrist whose professional and personal life unravel after a clinic staff member is found dead and she becomes a prime suspect. What makes Leslie such a compelling protagonist is her emotional depth. Her past trauma and history with addiction are handled with nuance and credibility, adding psychological realism rather than melodrama. There’s a constant sense that Leslie is not only fighting external threats, but also wrestling with the echoes of her own past.

Desch excels at constructing morally ambiguous characters. No one in Leslie’s orbit is entirely trustworthy, and the clinic itself becomes a claustrophobic environment filled with secrets, illegal schemes, and quiet betrayals. The framing of Leslie, both professionally and legally, is chillingly plausible, making the stakes feel real and personal. The antagonists are particularly effective: ruthless, manipulative, and unsettling in how easily they weaponize systems meant to protect people.

The emotional counterbalance comes through Leslie’s relationship with her pregnant wife, Izzy, whose own pressures, financial strain, pregnancy, and fear, add urgency and vulnerability to the narrative. Their relationship grounds the story and raises the stakes beyond survival alone; there is something deeply human at risk.

The pacing is one of the novel’s strongest elements. Clues are revealed steadily, tension escalates naturally, and twists feel earned rather than forced. Desch allows the mystery to unfold with precision, rewarding attentive readers while maintaining suspense until the final pages. A standout line, “You know, this is just like realizing you have rats” perfectly captures the creeping realization that corruption is closer than expected.

Professionally edited and tightly written, Tangled Darkness delivers a clean, focused reading experience without relying on shock value or gratuitous content. Instead, it leans into psychological tension, character-driven suspense, and ethical gray zones.

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Tangled Darkness’ by M.M. Desch is an amazing psychological thriller with medical elements. Definitely a must-read.

Dr Leslie Schoen struggles with a history of addiction, and is beyond shocked when she finds herself accused of stealing the missing opioids from her practice. With her history she’s worried about sharing this with her wife, especially since just having learned of her wife’s pregnancy. From that moment, everything spirals out of control. Everyone at the practice seems full of secrets, and everyone feels like a suspect in a conspiracy to set her up. With each new discovery, her questions only multiply. When one of the employees turns up dead, she’s determined to uncover the full truth.

This book took me a few chapters to fully fall into, but once I did, I was completely hooked. What starts as a slow build of the story, quickly turns into a fast-paced, darkly twisted journey full of paranoia and tension. The deeper I got, the more I questioned every character, every half-truth, every secret, and their connection.

It’s a perfectly blended mix of psychological suspense, drama, and medical thriller elements with personal struggles and hardship of addiction in the background. The unsettling and filled with shady dealings atmosphere is crafted magnificently, and kept me on my toes with where the story was going.

It’s unpredictable, addictive, and tense. The kind of book that kept me in the “just one more chapter” loop until the very end. Highly recommend!

Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a different kind of psychological thriller. Desch includes a great deal about the background and the relationships of doctors and support personnel that make up a psychiatric practice. We read about all of the office drama going on. There was also quite a bit of information about appointment and billing procedures for such a practice, most of it going right over my head. Desch included even more relationship drama, that between Leslie, one of the doctors and her wife. There was a murder, however, and a good dose of suspense near the end.

This is a debut effort and I liked it. There were a few issues, like some over description and the naming of doctor characters Schoen and Sloan. (Such similar sounding names for two different characters was quite confusing.) It was a bit disconcerting to read about the backgrounds of the psychiatrists, such as Leslie being a recovered alcoholic. I guess I thought people in such a profession would have it all together, so to speak. But Desch would know, having been a psychiatrist.

This is a good book for readers who like a focus on relationships more than the procedure of solving the mystery. I think Desch will only get better in her writing so I will be looking for more from her.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Avira N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desch’s sharp, emotionally charged debut blends psychological suspense with medical intrigue and personal reckoning. When a clinical assistant turns up dead, Dr. Leslie Schoen, already facing a career-threatening charge of stealing opioids, is pulled into a deepening crisis. As the DEA launches an audit and her colleagues retreat behind polite silences, Leslie suspects she’s been framed. But every lead is tangled in missing data, half-truths, and a workplace bristling with quiet hostility.

The novel trades spectacle for subtlety, finding its suspense in a clinic shaped by professional tensions, behind-the-scenes maneuvering, and the slow, suffocating rise of distrust. Desch’s prose is restrained but emotionally charged, and the domestic scenes between Leslie and Izzy anchor the suspense in something deeply human. With a strong sense of place, crisp pacing, and a narrator who can’t afford to make a wrong move, the story makes for both an absorbing mystery and a sharp indictment of how power protects itself. Lovers of morally complex characters, medical intrigue, and authentic LGBTQ+ representation will want to take a look. A lean, riveting thriller about what it means to fight for your name, your truth, and the people you love.

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Tangled Darkness” is not just entertaining—it’s thought-provoking. MM Desch explores the dark underbelly of prescription drug theft and the dangerous lengths criminals go to keep their operations hidden. The result is a thriller grounded in reality, which makes every twist hit even harder.

Leslie is a fascinating protagonist. Her intelligence, vulnerability, and determination make her easy to root for. As she conducts her own investigation—sometimes more effectively than the police—readers witness a woman pushed to her limits emotionally, professionally, and psychologically.

One of the strengths of this novel is how it portrays relationships under pressure. Leslie’s marriage, her professional connections, and her past all collide in ways that feel authentic and compelling.

By the time the truth is revealed, you’ll feel as though you’ve survived the ordeal alongside her.

I highly recommend this book to thriller enthusiasts, book club readers, and anyone who loves complex mysteries with strong female leads. This is one of those stories you’ll want to discuss long after you finish it.

[litandcoffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A psychiatrist with a haunted past is drawn into a deadly conspiracy in a clinic where silence protects secrets and the truth could cost everything. Dr. Leslie Schoen has rebuilt her life and is finally expecting a child. When a clinic assistant turns up dead and she’s accused of stealing opioids, everything begins to crack. As the DEA closes in, Leslie suspects she’s being framed. At home, she hides the truth from her pregnant wife, Izzy—until threats escalate and it’s clear someone will kill to keep their secrets buried.

Desch renders Leslie with raw credibility, letting her history of addiction inform every choice, doubt, and instinct without ever reducing her to it. The novel moves with tight momentum, and the prose is lean and sharp. At its core, this is a story about how power corrodes systems from within, and how women, especially queer women, are left to carry the consequences when they refuse to stay quiet.
A layered, unnerving debut that’s equal parts medical thriller, psychological drama, and moral reckoning.

[Karen Siddall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting thriller featuring desperate characters and complex, calculated deception.

Tangled Darkness by MM Desch is a must-read thriller featuring a sympathetic and vulnerable main character caught up in a cold, complex, and calculated deception. I didn’t want to put this book down.

Dr. Leslie Schoen, the main character with a history of addiction, is shocked when she receives a notice from the state’s medical licensing board, claiming someone has accused her of stealing samples of a powerful, restricted drug from her workplace. While her checkered past leaves her in a vulnerable state, of both mind and situation, rather than wringing her hands and doing nothing, she prepares to fight this obvious setup.

The atmosphere crackles with hidden malevolence as Leslie tries to determine who among her colleagues is behind the accusation. In the meantime, she keeps her troubles from her newly pregnant wife, Izzy, who has finally conceived after months and months of disappointment and miscarriage. I was kept constantly on the edge of my seat as Leslie worked her way through the obvious roadblocks put in her way to the surprising resolution.

I recommend TANGLED DARKNESS to readers of mysteries, thrillers, and medical dramas.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

[Charmaine DeMarco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! While not my normal genre, I’m always up for an adventure and this certainly was!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I especially enjoyed the details of … everything! The settings (including Portland) came to life and completed the picture while I read. The characters were equally complete with not just their physical appearance, but to include their emotional states from facial expressions, mannerisms and movements.

I think what I liked most was how the characters were portrayed as human. No one is 100% perfect (as we know) and no one is 100% bad—-so figuring out who is what and how much (tipping the scale?) was part of the fun for me.

The only criticism I would have is that there were some spots that I thought an editor would have fixed (and weirdly they were concentrated in a small section in the middle). It might be because I received an advance copy maybe?

Regardless, I would recommend this book as a super fun read. I can totally see it becoming a movie!

[TheLisaD · Rating 4 out of 5]

M.M. Desch delivers a gripping and suspense-filled thriller in Tangled Darkness, where a missing assistant, a shocking death, and a professional’s career on the line set the stage for a dark, twist-laden ride. When Dr. Leslie finds herself under scrutiny by the board for a crime she didn’t commit, the stakes are immediately high — and the tension only builds from there.

The novel expertly blends intrigue with just the right amount of action, keeping the pace sharp and the reader fully engaged. The twists come fast and unexpectedly, making it nearly impossible to put down. Desch’s storytelling pulls you in from the start and doesn’t let go, layering suspicion and doubt with every turn of the page.

With its well-constructed plot and compelling protagonist, Tangled Darkness is a standout psychological thriller. Fans of suspense will find themselves eager to follow Desch’s future work, and for good reason — this is an author to watch.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book and loved every page. It is a fantastic combination of mystery, suspense and medical intrigue, together with a powerful comment on the ravages of addiction and the cost of recovery. Life was humming along for Dr. Leslie Schoen; her psychiatry practice was successful, her recovery was strong, and her wife was pregnant.
Then an accusation came out of left field, and the DEA came knocking. Suddenly her officemates were full of secrets, and everyone was a suspect. Presuming that she was being framed, Schoen decided to keep the burgeoning problem from her wife (bad idea). The pages that follow portray a wildly suspenseful unfolding of tension at work and home. I was surprised in the end, as Desch had me wondering, page by page, how this was all going to play out.
This is a wonderful debut novel, and I can't wait to read more by MM Desch!

[BookWormBecky · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4

*Thank you to Partners in Crime tours for including me on this tour!

Allegations, precision, “laundry”…

Psychologist Dr Leslie Schoen is an officemate with Bryce (addiction treatment program), Michelle (nurse), and psychologist Sloan. She has just received a letter from the Oregon licensing board about possible misuse of patient sample meds.

Funny business will be revealed after a clinic assistant turns up dead.

The last 50 pages of this psychological thriller /medical thriller were fast and furious. I liked the police procedural investigation led by Detective Aaron Davis.

Characters were relatable - their struggles and triumphs were understandable.

The plot is a twisty, menacing tale of secrets, lies, dysfunction, and MURDER!

Medical field knowledge is apparent in the character’s actions and words.

A good debut!

[Tammy Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgallery for this ARC.

Wow this was a surprise of book. I didn't know what to expect chose it based off of cover and the blurb that intrigued me but still didn't know if I would like it, but I was pleasantly surprised and thrilled by it and it kept me hooked to the last moment. At the centre is Dr Leslie Schoen who is fighting an allegation of stealing drugs from her office partner's supply, her being a recovering addict she already has suspicions on her, trying to clear her name get her tangled up in the death of a coworker and she finds herself being threatened. We also get POVs of the the two psychiatrists and nurse involved in shady dealings as well as the detectives looking into Damon's death. This was such a twisty turn of a book and as it's the first in the series I can't wait to read the next one.

[Dee Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this psychological thriller. it was great how the author explained the relationship, and built up the story through the book. I did love how there were a lot of small details which to me is really great in a book because I'm a picky reader that likes the little bitty things. I did like at the very end how it got really suspenseful. I will say this is more a book based on like the relationship and the characters more so than it is the actual suspense and detectiveness as opposed to trying to find out about the actual murderer. Yet that is perfectly okay. I love that the author I felt really put their all into this book and really made this book an amazing book. this is the first time I have read anything by MM Desch and I look forward to reading many more things from them.

[Brenda Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was addictive! Excellent plot, fast paced, lots of shady dealings.
An honest and real look at addiction - the impact on those around watching their loved one struggle. The talons reach far and wide - carried for the rest of life, long and devastating impact.
Dr. Leslie Schoen realizes something very suspicious and likely illegal is going on at the office she rents space. Combined with her own struggle with addiction and long time recovery, Leslie passionately investigates the death of her coworker and friend, to the detriment of her marriage.
Excellent look at consequences, the swirl of addiction and life.

[Nikki B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tangled Darkness is a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing what will happen next. The plot is intriguing and I love Dr. Leslie's character, however, I felt like the story was moving at a slower pace. I kept waiting for it to pick up and it never did. Dr. Leslie is a recovered addict working at a psychiatric clinic. She receives a letter stating that someone is using her name to steal medication/drugs from the facility. Thus begins her search for the truth.
I enjoyed the twists and turns the story took and while I like my stories to flow at a faster pace, I would still recommend giving this one a read.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mindblowing! This ended up being so dark and twisted with drug trafficking and murders. People are gaslighted so hard I'm sure they had nightmares afterwards. Not to mention, the betrayals, coercion, and backstabbing. Every chapter I thought, this one is bad, but the next one wete worse deeds. I lost the empathy I had in the beginning, for this character, because they had started out with good intentions , and then things went left and greed and dishonesty became the name of the game. A very gripping ,suspenseful, drama filled, edge of your seat page turner I highly recommend. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest review.

[Kerry Goerl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the storyline of this book. It took me a while to figure out exactly what was going on, which is something I like in the story. What I was not a fan of was how the local areas/places mentioned in the book, were just randomly mentioned. I didn't feel like it needed to be quite so much, as it really didn't have anything to do with the storyline. Also, I was not a fan of how the book described each character in detail, as soon as they were mentioned in the story. Sometimes they were described a couple different times. I just wanted the story to keep going and not be bogged down.

[Antonia Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cleverly written and well thought-out, we step into the fully formed world of psychiatrist Dr. Leslie Schoen. Written in a way that feels like an ode to Portland, OR, this thriller starts out with an almost cozy energy that steadily picks up momentum that will have you rushing through the final chapters to find out what happens next. From grappling with personal problems from her past to a mysterious workplace death, can Leslie save what is most important to her or will she push too far and risk it all. You will close this book fully satisfied!

[Scott Lovelace · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an impressive debut. Dr Leslie Schoen is doing well, her practice is sucessful, her wife is expecting a child, and her recovery from a drug addiction is strong. It all comes crashing down when the DEA begins an audit. This was a roller coaster of a psychological suspense thriller. You can't not root for Dr Leslie. Who is framing her? What secrets will be made known? I really enjoyed this thrill ride from the opening lines.

Thank you to Partners in Crime Book Tours for arranging this tour and MM Desch for the complimentary review copy.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so good. Unfortunately, I figured things out way too quickly. The story line was was good, and what made it better is a main character overcoming/ battling her own demons. I loved that there was a pup in this book as not enough books have furry family members in them. The book title is perfect for this story as everything truly is tangled in darker aspects of what can happen in these kinds of settings. I would love to read more by this author. This was my first book, and it won't be my last book by this author.

[Ken Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A woman psychiatrist with a pregnant wife finds herself in the middle of an investigation into missing prescription opioids, as well as murder, and she’s the prime suspect in both cases. That’s the plot of this psychological thriller, MM Desch's debut novel. Desch was a practicing psychiatrist herself, specializing in addiction, for over three decades. Her experience and knowledge of human nature give the characters and story a depth that heightens the suspense. It's a page-turner, and the good news is just the first book in a planned series!