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Haven Thriller #1
Fog and Fury
She’s a new PI in a beautiful seaside town. It’s dirtier than it looks—and more dangerous too—in a twisting novel of suspense by the Anthony Award–nominated author of These Toxic Things.
After ten years on the force, LAPD cop Sonny Rush relocates with her elderly mother to peaceful Haven, California, to join her godfather’s burgeoning PI business. What crimes could possibly happen in a town nicknamed “Mayberry by the Sea”? Sonny’s first case: find Figgy, a missing goldendoodle last seen sporting a Versace collar. At least scouting out a dognapper gives Sonny a chance to get to know her new neighbors.
Forty-eight hours in town and Figgy’s disappearance entangles Sonny in an unwelcome reunion with her ex, one of Haven’s wealthiest citizens. And when the body of a teenage boy is found along a popular hiking trail, Sonny is drawn into a web of strange beyond anything she ever saw in LA.
Then comes a local’s warning: question everything. Haven hides secrets that could destroy its idyllic façade. Or destroy Sonny first.
After ten years on the force, LAPD cop Sonny Rush relocates with her elderly mother to peaceful Haven, California, to join her godfather’s burgeoning PI business. What crimes could possibly happen in a town nicknamed “Mayberry by the Sea”? Sonny’s first case: find Figgy, a missing goldendoodle last seen sporting a Versace collar. At least scouting out a dognapper gives Sonny a chance to get to know her new neighbors.
Forty-eight hours in town and Figgy’s disappearance entangles Sonny in an unwelcome reunion with her ex, one of Haven’s wealthiest citizens. And when the body of a teenage boy is found along a popular hiking trail, Sonny is drawn into a web of strange beyond anything she ever saw in LA.
Then comes a local’s warning: question everything. Haven hides secrets that could destroy its idyllic façade. Or destroy Sonny first.
395 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 13, 2025
5818 people are currently reading
10078 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Howzell Hall
34 books2,479 followersRACHEL HOWZELL HALL l is the critically acclaimed author and Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist for And Now She’s Gone, which was also nominated for the Lefty-, Barry-, Shamus- and Anthony Awards and the Audible Originals bestseller How It Ends. A New York Times bestselling author of The Good Sister with James Patterson, Rachel is an Anthony-, International Thriller Writers- and Lefty Award nominee and the author of They All Fall Down, Land of Shadows, Skies of Ash, Trail of Echoes and City of Saviors in the Detective Elouise Norton series. Her next thriller, These Toxic Things, out in September 2021, recently received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, calling the novel ‘cleverly-plotted’ and ‘a refreshing take on the serial killer theme.’
Rachel is a former member of the board of directors for Mystery Writers of America and has been a featured writer on NPR’s acclaimed Crime in the City series and the National Endowment for the Arts weekly podcast; she has also served as a mentor in Pitch Wars and the Association of Writers Programs. Rachel lives in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter. For more information, visit www.rachelhowzell.com
Her next novel And Now She’s Gone will be published in September 2020. You can find her at www.rachelhowzell.com and on Twitter @RachelHowzell.
Rachel is a former member of the board of directors for Mystery Writers of America and has been a featured writer on NPR’s acclaimed Crime in the City series and the National Endowment for the Arts weekly podcast; she has also served as a mentor in Pitch Wars and the Association of Writers Programs. Rachel lives in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter. For more information, visit www.rachelhowzell.com
Her next novel And Now She’s Gone will be published in September 2020. You can find her at www.rachelhowzell.com and on Twitter @RachelHowzell.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 359 reviews
July 19, 2025
GASP! Immersive, fast-paced, and downright addictive, Fog and Fury was everything I wanted in an unputdownable crime thriller. A definite winner in no uncertain terms, there were a million things I loved about this first book in a new series. From the evocative, razor-sharp writing to the brilliant characterizations, it was truly one home run after the other. Nothing won me over more, though, than the narrator. Ballsy, smart, and brave as well as relatable and flawed, Sonny was the full package for sure. To be frank, she has now joined my list of all-time favorite characters, and I’m positively giddy with anticipation to see how her story continues to unfold.
That’s not all that I loved about this book, however. With intense plotting, thought-provoking themes, and one heck of a doozy of a cliffhanger ending, there wasn’t a single moment that I wasn’t head over heels. You see, while some might not appreciate the timely hot-button issues on display in this thriller, they’re sure to make you think long after putting the book down. That’s not to say that the multiple plot lines didn’t also deliver in spades. Propulsive yet also intertwined to perfection, they kept me on the back foot throughout right up until each and every well-timed reveal. And let me tell you, there were a couple that absolutely had my jaw on the floor.
All said and done, I have to say that this just might be Ms. Hall’s best novel yet. From the small town, which was chock full of vipers, to the layers and layers of elusive dark secrets, I never know who to trust and who to look upon with utter suspicion. Then again, I haven’t even mentioned the vibe of the locale. Beyond atmospheric, from the fog-drenched roads to the picture-perfect main drag, it was the ideal setting for a book filled with misdirection and lies. Ultimately, this was a masterclass in suspense thanks to both the edge-of-your-seat action and the claustrophobic feel, and I just couldn’t get enough of this winning start to a brilliant new series. Rating of 5+ stars.
SYNOPSIS:
After ten years on the force, LAPD cop Sonny Rush relocates with her elderly mother to peaceful Haven, California, to join her godfather’s burgeoning PI business. What crimes could possibly happen in a town nicknamed “Mayberry by the Sea”? Sonny’s first case: find Figgy, a missing goldendoodle last seen sporting a Versace collar. At least scouting out a dognapper gives Sonny a chance to get to know her new neighbors.
Forty-eight hours in town and Figgy’s disappearance entangles Sonny in an unwelcome reunion with her ex, one of Haven’s wealthiest citizens. And when the body of a teenage boy is found along a popular hiking trail, Sonny is drawn into a web of strange beyond anything she ever saw in LA.
Then comes a local’s warning: question everything. Haven hides secrets that could destroy its idyllic facade. Or destroy Sonny first.
Thank you to Rachel Howzell Hall, Thomas & Mercer, and BookSparks for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 1, 2025
Content warning: dementia, infidelity, racism, homophobia, cursing, threatening messages, harassment, drug overdose, gun violence, mention of: blackmail
That’s not all that I loved about this book, however. With intense plotting, thought-provoking themes, and one heck of a doozy of a cliffhanger ending, there wasn’t a single moment that I wasn’t head over heels. You see, while some might not appreciate the timely hot-button issues on display in this thriller, they’re sure to make you think long after putting the book down. That’s not to say that the multiple plot lines didn’t also deliver in spades. Propulsive yet also intertwined to perfection, they kept me on the back foot throughout right up until each and every well-timed reveal. And let me tell you, there were a couple that absolutely had my jaw on the floor.
All said and done, I have to say that this just might be Ms. Hall’s best novel yet. From the small town, which was chock full of vipers, to the layers and layers of elusive dark secrets, I never know who to trust and who to look upon with utter suspicion. Then again, I haven’t even mentioned the vibe of the locale. Beyond atmospheric, from the fog-drenched roads to the picture-perfect main drag, it was the ideal setting for a book filled with misdirection and lies. Ultimately, this was a masterclass in suspense thanks to both the edge-of-your-seat action and the claustrophobic feel, and I just couldn’t get enough of this winning start to a brilliant new series. Rating of 5+ stars.
SYNOPSIS:
After ten years on the force, LAPD cop Sonny Rush relocates with her elderly mother to peaceful Haven, California, to join her godfather’s burgeoning PI business. What crimes could possibly happen in a town nicknamed “Mayberry by the Sea”? Sonny’s first case: find Figgy, a missing goldendoodle last seen sporting a Versace collar. At least scouting out a dognapper gives Sonny a chance to get to know her new neighbors.
Forty-eight hours in town and Figgy’s disappearance entangles Sonny in an unwelcome reunion with her ex, one of Haven’s wealthiest citizens. And when the body of a teenage boy is found along a popular hiking trail, Sonny is drawn into a web of strange beyond anything she ever saw in LA.
Then comes a local’s warning: question everything. Haven hides secrets that could destroy its idyllic facade. Or destroy Sonny first.
Thank you to Rachel Howzell Hall, Thomas & Mercer, and BookSparks for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 1, 2025
Content warning: dementia, infidelity, racism, homophobia, cursing, threatening messages, harassment, drug overdose, gun violence, mention of: blackmail
June 21, 2025
2.75
I struggled to stay engaged with Fog And Fury. Although I have enjoyed her work in the past, Rachel Howzell Halls writing style seemed off with this book. It was challenging to connect with the characters and the storyline.
I finished this just so I could move on to the next.
I struggled to stay engaged with Fog And Fury. Although I have enjoyed her work in the past, Rachel Howzell Halls writing style seemed off with this book. It was challenging to connect with the characters and the storyline.
I finished this just so I could move on to the next.
December 10, 2024
Oh, author, you are giving!
This is the start of a new series and I am so here for it!
The author gives us a lovely little heaven of a town. It’s just picture postcard perfect…on the surface. But under that surface? Oh, the rot!
Sonny, our MC, is delightful. Some people don’t like the author’s characters, but I think this one will sway those naysayers. She’s still strong and feisty, but she’s also vulnerable and relatable – and her mom! I love her!
The relationship is…interesting. I have opinions on Mr. man here, but I’ll let you read the book for yourself.
Now – certain readers may find there to be too much talk of race and politics. Those readers can go read something else. The main character is one of 5 (sort of) Black characters in this isolated little town and, yes, race will play a role.
An excellent book and the start to a fabulous series. Next book, please!
• ARC via Publisher
This is the start of a new series and I am so here for it!
The author gives us a lovely little heaven of a town. It’s just picture postcard perfect…on the surface. But under that surface? Oh, the rot!
Sonny, our MC, is delightful. Some people don’t like the author’s characters, but I think this one will sway those naysayers. She’s still strong and feisty, but she’s also vulnerable and relatable – and her mom! I love her!
The relationship is…interesting. I have opinions on Mr. man here, but I’ll let you read the book for yourself.
Now – certain readers may find there to be too much talk of race and politics. Those readers can go read something else. The main character is one of 5 (sort of) Black characters in this isolated little town and, yes, race will play a role.
An excellent book and the start to a fabulous series. Next book, please!
• ARC via Publisher
June 16, 2025
I picked this as my Amazon First reads. I would have given it a 3rd star but the book ended on a massive cliffhanger with multiple storylines unresolved. I’m all for leaving threads for the next book, but this one just stopped. Additionally, I found some of the race issues gratuitous- too much without significant contribution to the storyline.
February 5, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
From the disorderly writing to the characters and the convoluted story, I just couldn't get into this one. Perhaps the ARC was released before it should've been, and some necessary edits weren't completed to ensure a smoother reading experience? I'm not sure.
There were witty bits, the MC has a personality that jumps off the page, and the astrology girlies and fans will love the starry references, but this one wasn't it for me.
From the disorderly writing to the characters and the convoluted story, I just couldn't get into this one. Perhaps the ARC was released before it should've been, and some necessary edits weren't completed to ensure a smoother reading experience? I'm not sure.
There were witty bits, the MC has a personality that jumps off the page, and the astrology girlies and fans will love the starry references, but this one wasn't it for me.
November 24, 2025
Fog and Fury is the first book in the Haven Thriller series by prize-winning, bestselling American author, Rachel Howzell Hall. After an error of judgement, ten-year veteran of the LAPD, Alyson Rush is jobless, homeless and owes a massive settlement to a victim of crime. But her late father’s partner, Ivan Poole has offered her a job as a PI in Poole Investigations in the northern California seaside town of Haven. Bringing Val, her sixty-seven-year-old widowed mom, recently diagnosed with dementia, to a cottage by the woods in Haven is meant to be sanctuary.
But “three days in and I’d already stumbled across a dead kid and needed to find a dog either stolen by someone who hated the family or not stolen because the owner needed her dad’s attention but her dad was too busy being an adulterer around the state of California.” The death of the local high school’s star (and only Black) football player whilst out running on the Seabreeze track is ruled suicide; it’s not her case, but as one of very few Black residents in Haven, Sonny can’t help wanting to offer his parents some comfort and understanding.
She decides that looking for Figgy, the missing goldendoodle, questioning the list of people that the wealthy Sutton family consider suspects, will help her get to know the people of Haven. In between, doing her own bit of investigating, she soon discovers the poor standard of the Mendicino County Sheriff’s Department’s investigation. What she finds, what the teen’s fellow players say about him, and what her friend, the county ME learns from the autopsy lead to the firm conclusion that Xander Monroe was murdered.
She also discovers that Haven isn’t the quiet, safe idyll that those wanting to attract wealthy business people portray. “Political divides, class divides, what was authentic Haven, what was progress? Who got to decide the direction of a town like this— and who’d do anything to keep that progress from happening?” Sonny is criticised for her manner, her dress, but “Black girls were born women. We all had attitudes, and if we spoke with too much confidence, we’d be called disrespectful.”
Howzell Hall gives the reader a gripping mystery/thriller with plenty of red herrings and a twist or two, an exciting climax and the promise of more of this cast and setting with issues as yet unresolved. And even if the astute reader can pick the killer, the journey to the reveal is worth every sentence. The sequel, Mist and Malice, is eagerly anticipated.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer.
But “three days in and I’d already stumbled across a dead kid and needed to find a dog either stolen by someone who hated the family or not stolen because the owner needed her dad’s attention but her dad was too busy being an adulterer around the state of California.” The death of the local high school’s star (and only Black) football player whilst out running on the Seabreeze track is ruled suicide; it’s not her case, but as one of very few Black residents in Haven, Sonny can’t help wanting to offer his parents some comfort and understanding.
She decides that looking for Figgy, the missing goldendoodle, questioning the list of people that the wealthy Sutton family consider suspects, will help her get to know the people of Haven. In between, doing her own bit of investigating, she soon discovers the poor standard of the Mendicino County Sheriff’s Department’s investigation. What she finds, what the teen’s fellow players say about him, and what her friend, the county ME learns from the autopsy lead to the firm conclusion that Xander Monroe was murdered.
She also discovers that Haven isn’t the quiet, safe idyll that those wanting to attract wealthy business people portray. “Political divides, class divides, what was authentic Haven, what was progress? Who got to decide the direction of a town like this— and who’d do anything to keep that progress from happening?” Sonny is criticised for her manner, her dress, but “Black girls were born women. We all had attitudes, and if we spoke with too much confidence, we’d be called disrespectful.”
Howzell Hall gives the reader a gripping mystery/thriller with plenty of red herrings and a twist or two, an exciting climax and the promise of more of this cast and setting with issues as yet unresolved. And even if the astute reader can pick the killer, the journey to the reveal is worth every sentence. The sequel, Mist and Malice, is eagerly anticipated.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer.
Read
July 9, 2025DNF Read over 100 pages and then quit. Too much back history and love life travail repetition. Seems very much cliche and shallow too. Both.
No more of hers for me. Nothing comes close to the Elouise series in this one. Haven AND the characters are also solidly slanted politico and pander. But the worse quality is the pace and jumpy intros. This could never get past a 2 with this verbose beginning. It was even hard to follow. Convoluted writing.
No more of hers for me. Nothing comes close to the Elouise series in this one. Haven AND the characters are also solidly slanted politico and pander. But the worse quality is the pace and jumpy intros. This could never get past a 2 with this verbose beginning. It was even hard to follow. Convoluted writing.
July 8, 2025
This is my second time trying this author and unfortunately I think her style is just not for me. I kept reading for the mystery, which was interesting enough, though even when the main mystery is solved there are a lot of loose ends hanging around for the next book. I think the author has an unusual voice but it doesn't mesh with my brain. She tends to use long and very specific metaphors, and they would pull me out of the story as I tried to parse them. I really wanted to like this because I love adding mystery writers to my roster, but this one I'll have to pass on.
June 17, 2025
I enjoyed this book, and it kept me engaged throughout. But the ending was very unsatisfying.
June 29, 2025
I DNF'd it at 48% after trying really hard to like it. I felt like the book just couldn't get started and wasn't keeping my interest
February 19, 2025
After ten years with the LAPD, ex-cop Sonny Rush moves to the idyllic town of Haven to join her uncle’s PI business. Her first case? Find a missing dog. But her investigation soon unravels the secrets that Haven holds, and soon Sonny is warned to leave town. Fog and Fury gives us the gift of author Rachel Howzell Hall’s seamless and exquisite writing, a style so melodic that you just keep turning the pages, eager for more. Combine that with great characters, an intense plot, and her razor sharp dialogue, and you have a sure fire winner. The author does a masterful job of exposing hot-button issues in subtle but powerful interactions between Sonny and the town’s residents, as Sonny’s missing dog case ramps up when a teenage boy is found dead on a hiking trail. Loved this one right from the start, and it appears a second book is coming, and I can’t wait! Five stars! I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2025
3.5 stars.
New series from this author called Haven.
Former LAPD Homicide Detective Sonny Rush has relocated to a small town of 1000 people named Haven with her mother to join Poole Investigations, a private investigative firm owned by her godfather. Her first case is to find a missing goldendoodle named Figgy. Not exactly what she's been used to with the LAPD. Against her employer's wishes, she intends to look into the meatier supposed suicide of a teenager found on a walking trail.
This was my type of book. I liked the mystery and I liked Sonny. Her anxiety is high but she is courageous and determined to do what's right. The ending was rather open ended with one issue that makes me want to read the next book.
New series from this author called Haven.
Former LAPD Homicide Detective Sonny Rush has relocated to a small town of 1000 people named Haven with her mother to join Poole Investigations, a private investigative firm owned by her godfather. Her first case is to find a missing goldendoodle named Figgy. Not exactly what she's been used to with the LAPD. Against her employer's wishes, she intends to look into the meatier supposed suicide of a teenager found on a walking trail.
This was my type of book. I liked the mystery and I liked Sonny. Her anxiety is high but she is courageous and determined to do what's right. The ending was rather open ended with one issue that makes me want to read the next book.
May 17, 2025
Fog and Fury is the perfect title for this book. I loved the setting of the small town feel. The mystery was intriguing and complex. The ending leaves on a cliffhanger which is not a favorite of mine. This is book one in a new series and so I'm hoping that book 2 will give more answers to questions left unanswered in this first book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
August 5, 2025
I don’t know why I haven’t read more of Rachel Howzell Hall’s thrillers because every time I do, they’re a total win for me. This time a LAPD cop, Sonny Rush relocates to an idyllic town in Northern California, nicknamed “Mayberry By The Sea” to join her godfather’s PI business and also to keep a watch on her aging mother who is showing increasing sign of Dementia. Life truly does seem idyllic when her first case involves finding a missing Goldendoodle. But that changes quickly when she finds out about a young Black star athlete who was recently found dead on a running trail with investigators saying it was a suicide, and yet there was nothing in this young mans life that would make that seem remotely possible. Sonny begins to quietly ask questions for the family, and what she begins to discover is things might now be as perfect as they seem.
This was totally fun and so much of it is because Sonny is the perfect PI: smart, sarcastic, with killer instincts coupled with a healthy dose of neurosis, and an ex boyfriend who won’t seem to leave her life. The book ends with strings tied up, but enough dangling to lead one to believe we haven’t seen the last of her yet.
This was totally fun and so much of it is because Sonny is the perfect PI: smart, sarcastic, with killer instincts coupled with a healthy dose of neurosis, and an ex boyfriend who won’t seem to leave her life. The book ends with strings tied up, but enough dangling to lead one to believe we haven’t seen the last of her yet.
July 16, 2025
For the most part I enjoyed this story and the plot of where it was going. The small town was intriguing and I was sucked in. But then the pacing really struggled. It took a lot for me to want to pick it up again. When I finally get to the end it's left on massive cliffhangers where it feels like it was just suddenly cut short.
Thank you for this alc
Thank you for this alc
June 23, 2025
It was boring and overlong
Too much over describing -story moves slowly - and then at the end the killer just randomly confesses to everything - then left hanging on the girls disappearance at the end which would require you to read the 2nd novel - no thanks
Too much over describing -story moves slowly - and then at the end the killer just randomly confesses to everything - then left hanging on the girls disappearance at the end which would require you to read the 2nd novel - no thanks
June 23, 2025
Hmmmmm…a little confused about what I think on this one. Listed at 377 pages, I’m saying about 75 pages more than needed. Buildup a bit slow but then fast paced puts the hammer down final 50 pages. A little disappointed so many questions still hanging at the end (charm in mouth, nicotine, how death went down and on and on!?), not tied up in a neat little bow. Used to TV series leaving things hanging for future seasons, just not used to that, even in other series books I’ve read. Button it up and start clean next book!
June 25, 2025
Didn’t mind it but not a massive fan. Decent for an Amazon First Reads freebie, but felt repetitive and boring in places. Will not be reading the rest of the series.
Read
June 13, 2025DNF - just was not holding my attention and the writing was subpar. You gotta have really good vibes to have subpar writing.
May 14, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
Rachel Howzell Hall’s vivid writing shines in her latest detective novel, which is also the first in a new series, FOG AND FURY.
Alyson (Sonny) Rush has arrived at the small Northern California town of Haven with her mother who is showing signs of dementia. After leaving the Los Angeles PD, Sonny has joined her godfather Ivan’s private investigator firm. Ivan has started a new case involving a Black high school football player who was murdered while jogging, and he gives her a case involving a missing dog named Figgy.
I must admit that there are a few too many coincidences in this one. Her lover is connected to the missing dog, and her old friend is the medical examiner for the town. If any of us move to a small town six hours away from the big city, I doubt we would have such connections.
However, even with that drawback, I liked so much about this novel! Great setting, multi-faceted characters, introspective when tougher issues like race come up, and an interesting plot with an incompetent local police force. I loved how Sonny’s mother was treated as a capable person despite fighting dementia.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
It publishes July 1, 2025.
Rachel Howzell Hall’s vivid writing shines in her latest detective novel, which is also the first in a new series, FOG AND FURY.
Alyson (Sonny) Rush has arrived at the small Northern California town of Haven with her mother who is showing signs of dementia. After leaving the Los Angeles PD, Sonny has joined her godfather Ivan’s private investigator firm. Ivan has started a new case involving a Black high school football player who was murdered while jogging, and he gives her a case involving a missing dog named Figgy.
I must admit that there are a few too many coincidences in this one. Her lover is connected to the missing dog, and her old friend is the medical examiner for the town. If any of us move to a small town six hours away from the big city, I doubt we would have such connections.
However, even with that drawback, I liked so much about this novel! Great setting, multi-faceted characters, introspective when tougher issues like race come up, and an interesting plot with an incompetent local police force. I loved how Sonny’s mother was treated as a capable person despite fighting dementia.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
It publishes July 1, 2025.
June 27, 2025
Picked this as my Amazon First Reads for the month.
Fog and Fury follows Sonny, a former LAPD detective turned private investigator, as she tries to start fresh in Haven, a small town "one letter away from being called Heaven." Her first case as a PI sounds simple: find a missing dog. Her new boss is investigating the death of a 17 yr old Black boy, and being one of the few Black people now living in Haven, Sonny decides to help. As she looks into both cases, she soon realizes there’s more to Haven than advertised.
Sonny is easy to root for, I liked her right away. Since the book is told from her point of view, we learn things right alongside her which was a little clunky sometimes, but it all worked out. The other characters didn’t leave a huge impression, but this is more plot driven than character driven so I didn't mind. And it was a good intro to them since they'll likely (hopefully?) be fleshed out more in the next book.
I had a pretty good idea who was behind things before the reveal, but the story and dialogue still kept me hooked. The biggest downside? The ending. Major cliffhangers—plural—with little resolution.
Touches on race and small-town dynamics, sometimes smoothly, sometimes it felt a bit forced. Still, an interesting and solid start to a series with a relatable main character and enough twists and turns to keep the pages turning. I’ll be reading the next book to see where this all goes.
Fog and Fury follows Sonny, a former LAPD detective turned private investigator, as she tries to start fresh in Haven, a small town "one letter away from being called Heaven." Her first case as a PI sounds simple: find a missing dog. Her new boss is investigating the death of a 17 yr old Black boy, and being one of the few Black people now living in Haven, Sonny decides to help. As she looks into both cases, she soon realizes there’s more to Haven than advertised.
Sonny is easy to root for, I liked her right away. Since the book is told from her point of view, we learn things right alongside her which was a little clunky sometimes, but it all worked out. The other characters didn’t leave a huge impression, but this is more plot driven than character driven so I didn't mind. And it was a good intro to them since they'll likely (hopefully?) be fleshed out more in the next book.
I had a pretty good idea who was behind things before the reveal, but the story and dialogue still kept me hooked. The biggest downside? The ending. Major cliffhangers—plural—with little resolution.
Touches on race and small-town dynamics, sometimes smoothly, sometimes it felt a bit forced. Still, an interesting and solid start to a series with a relatable main character and enough twists and turns to keep the pages turning. I’ll be reading the next book to see where this all goes.
August 26, 2025
Rachel Howell Hall is an auto-read author for me.
Admittedly, a former cop/PI is not my favorite type of main character, but I felt for Sonny, who's just moved to Haven, California with her mom. Haven seems like it's a little too idyllic (nothing bad ever happens there) - begging the question of what's hiding beneath the surface.
FOG AND FURY is the first in a series, and it did read as such - not because it's too introductory, but because there are a few questions left open at the end of the book. The immediate mystery that is solved within the novel was a bit of a head-scratcher to me, which is not what I expect with a RHH title.
I really liked Inger Tudor as a narrator. She felt well cast and I'd listen to books narrated by her again. There are some interjections in italics in the text that were easier to understand when looking at the text with my eyes (but none of them were crucial to following the overall story itself - think main character reciting a Tennyson poem to herself).
Thank you to Brilliance Audio for a free ALC of this title for review.
Admittedly, a former cop/PI is not my favorite type of main character, but I felt for Sonny, who's just moved to Haven, California with her mom. Haven seems like it's a little too idyllic (nothing bad ever happens there) - begging the question of what's hiding beneath the surface.
FOG AND FURY is the first in a series, and it did read as such - not because it's too introductory, but because there are a few questions left open at the end of the book. The immediate mystery that is solved within the novel was a bit of a head-scratcher to me, which is not what I expect with a RHH title.
I really liked Inger Tudor as a narrator. She felt well cast and I'd listen to books narrated by her again. There are some interjections in italics in the text that were easier to understand when looking at the text with my eyes (but none of them were crucial to following the overall story itself - think main character reciting a Tennyson poem to herself).
Thank you to Brilliance Audio for a free ALC of this title for review.
July 22, 2025
This is the kind of brooding, propulsive crime fiction that hooks you from the very first page.
Rachel Howzell Hall masterfully crafts layered, deeply human characters, while bringing the eerie world of Haven to life with cinematic precision. The atmosphere is so immersive, it’s not just seen—it’s felt.
Packed with sharp twists, red herrings, and genuine surprises, this thriller kept me guessing to the very end—and I loved every minute of it. As the first installment in the Haven Thrillers series, it ends with a bang, but I can rest easy knowing Mist and Malice is on the horizon next year.
And that splash of dark humor? Pure chef’s kiss.
Rachel Howzell Hall masterfully crafts layered, deeply human characters, while bringing the eerie world of Haven to life with cinematic precision. The atmosphere is so immersive, it’s not just seen—it’s felt.
Packed with sharp twists, red herrings, and genuine surprises, this thriller kept me guessing to the very end—and I loved every minute of it. As the first installment in the Haven Thrillers series, it ends with a bang, but I can rest easy knowing Mist and Malice is on the horizon next year.
And that splash of dark humor? Pure chef’s kiss.
July 2, 2025
Spoiler-Free Summary:
In Fog and Fury, the first in the Haven Thriller series, ex-LAPD detective Alyson “Sonny” Rush returns to her coastal hometown to care for her mother and start fresh as a private investigator. What begins as a quirky case to find a missing dog quickly spirals into a deeper, darker mystery when a local teenager is found dead - and Sonny suspects the story the town’s telling isn’t the full truth. With Haven’s fog-hiding deep, Sonny digs into a web of wealth, race, memory, and justice in a town that isn’t as safe as it seems.
My thoughts:
Sonny is layered with just the right mix of vulnerability and grit. The town of Haven comes alive with atmosphere: moody, brutal, and full of buried tension. The central mystery was compelling and socially resonant, raising important questions about who gets justice, and who gets forgotten.
That said, the pacing did lag in a few spots. Some mid-book chapters felt more like setup than story, and I found myself wanting things to just move along. But just when I thought it might lose momentum, the ending delivered. I turned the last page already excited about the sequel.
If you enjoy mysteries that blend social commentary, complex characters, and small-town secrets, Fog and Fury is well worth the read.
In Fog and Fury, the first in the Haven Thriller series, ex-LAPD detective Alyson “Sonny” Rush returns to her coastal hometown to care for her mother and start fresh as a private investigator. What begins as a quirky case to find a missing dog quickly spirals into a deeper, darker mystery when a local teenager is found dead - and Sonny suspects the story the town’s telling isn’t the full truth. With Haven’s fog-hiding deep, Sonny digs into a web of wealth, race, memory, and justice in a town that isn’t as safe as it seems.
My thoughts:
Sonny is layered with just the right mix of vulnerability and grit. The town of Haven comes alive with atmosphere: moody, brutal, and full of buried tension. The central mystery was compelling and socially resonant, raising important questions about who gets justice, and who gets forgotten.
That said, the pacing did lag in a few spots. Some mid-book chapters felt more like setup than story, and I found myself wanting things to just move along. But just when I thought it might lose momentum, the ending delivered. I turned the last page already excited about the sequel.
If you enjoy mysteries that blend social commentary, complex characters, and small-town secrets, Fog and Fury is well worth the read.
July 9, 2025
"Fog and Fury" is the first book in the Haven series. This was my first Rachel Howzell Hall book, and I have seen such positive reviews for all of her novels. Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I struggled to connect with the characters and had a hard time staying engaged. The murder mystery was interesting, but the rest of the story just didn't hold my attention. I seem to be an outlier, though, so maybe it was just a me thing. I am definitely still interested in reading the author's other books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
June 27, 2025
What a tough slog to the finish line. This book didn’t hold my attention for a variety of reasons.
The main character is Black. For some reason, the author feels the need to boldly underline that fact multiple times.
On several occasions, the MC gets on her soap box and discusses racial matters, which feels too preachy and becomes repetitive and tiresome.
In general, the MC, who goes by Sonny, comes off as too whiny and too much of a potty mouth.
In the interest of realistic dialogue, some profanity might be considered acceptable, but if you’ve got the f-word on every other page, your book is over the top on the cursing scale. If all profanity was removed from this book, it might be 10 percent shorter. The lazy choice of gutter words gives the book an unprofessional feel.
As for redeeming qualities, Sonny is a sharp investigator, who notices things overlooked by the cops. She loves her mother, who is struggling with the slow downward spiral of dementia, and she is fiercely protective of her.
Sonny made a mistake as an LA homicide cop, which cost her job, but she refuses to give up. She ends up taking a job as a PI, working with Ivan, who, like her, is a former cop and he was the partner of her late father.
Sonny’s new job is located in Haven, a beachside community in northern California. Haven presents itself as a “Mayberry By The Sea.” But its pristine image is only an illusion. Many secrets and much danger lurks beneath the surface.
Sonny is assigned a missing dog case, which she considers beneath her skills. Against Ivan’s wishes, she investigates the death of a star football player, Xander, who, like Sonny, is Black and an outsider having recently moved to the predominantly white town. Sonny doesn’t believe he committed suicide and sets out to prove it.
She discovers the two cases – the missing dog and Xander’s death - are related. She begins receiving threatening text messages as well as physical threats. She finds herself and her loved ones in growing danger.
The author would have been better off focusing on the story and its interesting aspects and cutting out the bulk of the cussing, whining and preaching.
Despite its flaws, you will find it difficult to toss this book aside, and you likely will choose to complete the slog to the end of what could have been a story better told.
The last 20 or 30 pages are clearly the best. It’s too bad the earlier pages didn’t contain the same quality of writing.
The main character is Black. For some reason, the author feels the need to boldly underline that fact multiple times.
On several occasions, the MC gets on her soap box and discusses racial matters, which feels too preachy and becomes repetitive and tiresome.
In general, the MC, who goes by Sonny, comes off as too whiny and too much of a potty mouth.
In the interest of realistic dialogue, some profanity might be considered acceptable, but if you’ve got the f-word on every other page, your book is over the top on the cursing scale. If all profanity was removed from this book, it might be 10 percent shorter. The lazy choice of gutter words gives the book an unprofessional feel.
As for redeeming qualities, Sonny is a sharp investigator, who notices things overlooked by the cops. She loves her mother, who is struggling with the slow downward spiral of dementia, and she is fiercely protective of her.
Sonny made a mistake as an LA homicide cop, which cost her job, but she refuses to give up. She ends up taking a job as a PI, working with Ivan, who, like her, is a former cop and he was the partner of her late father.
Sonny’s new job is located in Haven, a beachside community in northern California. Haven presents itself as a “Mayberry By The Sea.” But its pristine image is only an illusion. Many secrets and much danger lurks beneath the surface.
Sonny is assigned a missing dog case, which she considers beneath her skills. Against Ivan’s wishes, she investigates the death of a star football player, Xander, who, like Sonny, is Black and an outsider having recently moved to the predominantly white town. Sonny doesn’t believe he committed suicide and sets out to prove it.
She discovers the two cases – the missing dog and Xander’s death - are related. She begins receiving threatening text messages as well as physical threats. She finds herself and her loved ones in growing danger.
The author would have been better off focusing on the story and its interesting aspects and cutting out the bulk of the cussing, whining and preaching.
Despite its flaws, you will find it difficult to toss this book aside, and you likely will choose to complete the slog to the end of what could have been a story better told.
The last 20 or 30 pages are clearly the best. It’s too bad the earlier pages didn’t contain the same quality of writing.
August 15, 2025
Fog And Fury by Rachel Howzell Hall in quick, rapid-fire thoughts.
-confusing writing led to a lack of full and complete understanding of the story
-I never could decide if I appreciated Sonny's determined nature or if I found her naivety dangerous
-it was hard to stay engaged throughout the entire book
-the ending is abrupt, although I know this is book one of a new series
-Inger Tudor's voice was a good fit for this type of audiobook
Sadly, I will not be continuing on with the Haven Thriller series.
Thank you NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing and Brilliance Audio for the complimentary audio copy to read and review.
-confusing writing led to a lack of full and complete understanding of the story
-I never could decide if I appreciated Sonny's determined nature or if I found her naivety dangerous
-it was hard to stay engaged throughout the entire book
-the ending is abrupt, although I know this is book one of a new series
-Inger Tudor's voice was a good fit for this type of audiobook
Sadly, I will not be continuing on with the Haven Thriller series.
Thank you NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing and Brilliance Audio for the complimentary audio copy to read and review.
July 3, 2025
Overly convoluted.
The author never does explain the history of the protagonist, just constantly referring to it as something that horribly bothers her. It’s one thing to mention it, but then never to explain it is not acceptable. The plot is ridiculous.
The author never does explain the history of the protagonist, just constantly referring to it as something that horribly bothers her. It’s one thing to mention it, but then never to explain it is not acceptable. The plot is ridiculous.
June 11, 2025
This was fine. Not more and not less. I liked that it had to right amount of twists and kept me guessing. What I didn’t like was two different characters in the first person (however briefly) and there weren’t many likable characters, though the main was probably the closest.
Again, it was fine, I just couldn’t get invested and finished it to get to my next book…
Again, it was fine, I just couldn’t get invested and finished it to get to my next book…
August 24, 2025
I really liked the Lou Norton books and assumed this would be one. It is not. Hall has moved on to another character, Sonny Rush, who has been dismissed from the LAPD after 10 years of service. Rush spends a lot of time regretting her behavior that got her kicked off the LAPD; we get some hints and Rush seems to do a lot of things wrong. There are some serious mistakes by her characters and there are a lot of weak people and situations. I had to go back and reread the last 25-30 pages the next day and there are still dangling problems. I expect Hall will come back with a second book but I am not certain I will read it. This book was rushed, lots of hints with few clues to go with them. I felt the entire book was rushed into print - maybe Hall had a contract date closing in on her; the story just did not jell for me. There are open-ended problems. No, I can not list them because reading the book is the disclosure. I am disappointed in this book. We still have the policewoman who does a lot of things right and solves the murders by the end but it is the hanging problems that bother me. If you are looking for a good mystery, this is not IT. There are lots of good books around - I will have to look carefully at the reviews of the next book. This really is a two star book but I am giving it an extra star because of Hall's past good books. I want to entice others to read this and write reviews. Maybe I will understand this one better if I read a lot of reviews by people who loved Lou Norton. I really can not recommend the book to anyone.
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