What do you think?
Rate this book
Investigator Kat Cromwell Mystery #1
Why She Had to Die
First cases are never easy… but this one could be Kat Cromwell's last.
In Dana Point, California, surf reports, sailing conditions, and real estate dominate the news… until the calm waters of this sleepy, seaside town are shattered when a woman's body washes up on the sand.
Under the pressure of her first homicide case, new evidence surfacing in the supposed accidental death of her fiancé, and a seasoned partner who'd be happy to see her fail, Kat has more than enough on her plate… not to mention that troublesome problem she's been carefully hiding.
Welcome to murder by the sea, with a broken protagonist uncovering an ocean of secrets, while hiding a few of her own.
Fans of police mysteries will love this riveting new series by USA Today bestselling author Nicholas Harvey.
In Dana Point, California, surf reports, sailing conditions, and real estate dominate the news… until the calm waters of this sleepy, seaside town are shattered when a woman's body washes up on the sand.
Under the pressure of her first homicide case, new evidence surfacing in the supposed accidental death of her fiancé, and a seasoned partner who'd be happy to see her fail, Kat has more than enough on her plate… not to mention that troublesome problem she's been carefully hiding.
Welcome to murder by the sea, with a broken protagonist uncovering an ocean of secrets, while hiding a few of her own.
Fans of police mysteries will love this riveting new series by USA Today bestselling author Nicholas Harvey.
- GenresMystery
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2025
586 people are currently reading
5208 people want to read
About the author
Nicholas Harvey
42 books173 followersA USA Today bestselling author, Nicholas Harvey's life has been anything but ordinary. Race car driver, motorsports professional, adventure traveller, divemaster, and since 2020, a full-time novelist. Raised in England, Nick has dual UK and US citizenship and now lives nomadically wherever he and his amazing wife, Cheryl, choose to land for a few months. He is the author of the Nora Sommer Suspense, Kat Cromwell Mystery, and AJ Bailey Adventure series, as well as multiple collaborations.
Find out more info and join his newsletter at www.HarveyBooks.com
Find out more info and join his newsletter at www.HarveyBooks.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
May 19, 2025
Meet Kat Cromwell, a kick-ass female investigator, taking the lead on her first homicide investigation—a young woman who washed up on the beach in Dana Point California. Fast-paced and fun, Why She Had To Die kicks off a new series from Nicholas Harvey. Jump on board. It’s a fun ride.
DP Lyle, award-winning author of the Jake Longly and Cain/Harper thriller series and co-creator of the Outliers Writing University
DP Lyle, award-winning author of the Jake Longly and Cain/Harper thriller series and co-creator of the Outliers Writing University
July 15, 2025
**Mild spoilers below**
This was...not good.
The fact that the killer ends up being the first person the police question and the motive being the exact thing they talked about during the questioning was so much a letdown of a reveal.
Also, this is a male author so his descriptions of the female body are very much a male description iykyk. 🙄
This was...not good.
The fact that the killer ends up being the first person the police question and the motive being the exact thing they talked about during the questioning was so much a letdown of a reveal.
Also, this is a male author so his descriptions of the female body are very much a male description iykyk. 🙄
June 24, 2025
I really enjoyed this kick off to a new series. Kat is an interesting character. And I am looking forward to see what is next. There a big story that I feel like is in her past. I also loved her partner.
September 14, 2025
Dana Point, CA, sheriff’s investigator Kat Cromwell has a lot going on – she catches her first homicide case, new evidence concerning the death of her fiancé is turning up, her new partner would just as soon see her fail as be nice to her, and something’s going on in her head that could end up with her losing her job.
Kat has a “broken brain” that frustrates her but also is a key element in the way she solves cases. She has almost photographic recall, but occasionally her brain blanks out and she relies on crime scene pics taken with a small instant camera to help her keep things in focus. When she was young, doctors studied her and tested her, but could never give her mother and father a definitive reason for the fritzing. She’s partnered with a season detective who is beyond annoyed at being yoked with such a “newbie”. He doesn’t actually sabotage her, but he doesn’t go out of his way to help her either. She learns he has a secret worth keeping just about the time he snaps to her information processing issues and this détente allows them to work together better.
This is a new-to-me author and I was totally engaged from the start, with the exception of the Britishisms that keep coming out of Kat’s mouth. Her father is a former British heavyweight champ, her mother an American actress/teacher. Although she’s lived in the U.S. longer than the family spent in England, the English accent has stuck with her. I thought the author belabored the point of the accent and the British phrases. Aside from that, the characters were well-drawn, the settings well-described, the plot clipped along at a brisk pace, and the ending was a surprise. I liked it so much I immediately bought (and read) book 2 in the series, and I wasn’t sorry. I will read more in this series.
Kat has a “broken brain” that frustrates her but also is a key element in the way she solves cases. She has almost photographic recall, but occasionally her brain blanks out and she relies on crime scene pics taken with a small instant camera to help her keep things in focus. When she was young, doctors studied her and tested her, but could never give her mother and father a definitive reason for the fritzing. She’s partnered with a season detective who is beyond annoyed at being yoked with such a “newbie”. He doesn’t actually sabotage her, but he doesn’t go out of his way to help her either. She learns he has a secret worth keeping just about the time he snaps to her information processing issues and this détente allows them to work together better.
This is a new-to-me author and I was totally engaged from the start, with the exception of the Britishisms that keep coming out of Kat’s mouth. Her father is a former British heavyweight champ, her mother an American actress/teacher. Although she’s lived in the U.S. longer than the family spent in England, the English accent has stuck with her. I thought the author belabored the point of the accent and the British phrases. Aside from that, the characters were well-drawn, the settings well-described, the plot clipped along at a brisk pace, and the ending was a surprise. I liked it so much I immediately bought (and read) book 2 in the series, and I wasn’t sorry. I will read more in this series.
June 25, 2025
Why She Had to Die is my first dip into Nicholas Harvey’s world, and now I totally get the hype. If you're into gritty police procedurals with just the right mix of tension, small-town secrets, and flawed-but-fierce female leads, go ahead and bump this one to the top of your TBR.
Kat is brand-new to leading homicide cases, and wow does she get thrown into the deep end. A woman’s body washes up in picture-perfect Dana Point, and suddenly this sleepy seaside town isn’t looking so peaceful anymore. Between navigating a hostile partner (ugh, Hugo 🙄), juggling whispers about her past, and dealing with the mysterious death of her fiancé, Kat is walking a very thin line. And oh yeah, she’s got her own secrets too. 👀
I loved that this wasn’t just about solving the murder (though the twists kept me guessing right to the end), but also about who Kat is and what she’s dealing with. Her vulnerability and stubbornness made her feel so real; she’s sharp, but not invincible. I was rooting for her from page one.
The pacing was tight, the atmosphere moody and well drawn, and the coastal California setting felt like a character in itself. You can practically hear the ocean in the background and smell the salt in the air. I also loved the tension between Kat and Hugo; even though I wanted to shake them both at times, it made their dynamic feel earned.
I can't wait to add the next book to my Kindle! Nicholas Harvey has a new fan. 🙌
Thank you Nicholas Harvey for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Kat is brand-new to leading homicide cases, and wow does she get thrown into the deep end. A woman’s body washes up in picture-perfect Dana Point, and suddenly this sleepy seaside town isn’t looking so peaceful anymore. Between navigating a hostile partner (ugh, Hugo 🙄), juggling whispers about her past, and dealing with the mysterious death of her fiancé, Kat is walking a very thin line. And oh yeah, she’s got her own secrets too. 👀
I loved that this wasn’t just about solving the murder (though the twists kept me guessing right to the end), but also about who Kat is and what she’s dealing with. Her vulnerability and stubbornness made her feel so real; she’s sharp, but not invincible. I was rooting for her from page one.
The pacing was tight, the atmosphere moody and well drawn, and the coastal California setting felt like a character in itself. You can practically hear the ocean in the background and smell the salt in the air. I also loved the tension between Kat and Hugo; even though I wanted to shake them both at times, it made their dynamic feel earned.
I can't wait to add the next book to my Kindle! Nicholas Harvey has a new fan. 🙌
Thank you Nicholas Harvey for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 25, 2025
Kat Cromwell has arrived and I'm glad I had it preordered. Dana Point is a special place and Nicholas Harvey did the area justice, as always. If you are already a fan of the excellent stories involving AJ Bailey and Nora Sommer, add Kat Cromwell to your list...if not, enjoy the journey with Kat (then start binging the other two series with AJ and Nora). Characters are well developed and getting to know Kat is a plot within the plot that is enjoyable to unwind. Page turner? Check. Surprises just when you got things figured out? Check. Excellent details, descriptions of people, places, and events? Check. (Since I knew Dana Point and the area in the 60s and 70s it was like visiting an old friend and learning new things about the area today.) Kat is a new detective...ummm...investigator who is ready to take her place among the characters I really am fond of. Nick just keeps on getting it right in so many ways. His books should really be turned into TV series. For previous readers, see if you can find a little Easter egg that connects her to another character. Also, don't forget to dive into the wonderful bonus he's created for us all.
September 23, 2025
Helena, waitress - Capistrano Bay Tavern MURDERED at the beach, she received a note to go to Park Doheny State Beach, found her watch, Scarlett Redman, age 15, her daughter;
Darian Rutherford, Scarlett's father;
Shirley & Bob Redman, parents and grandparents, Travis Redman, son/brother;
Chris Wendell, ex boyfriend, but he still wanted to date Helena, MURDERED;
Investigator: Kat Cromwell, Dana Point Sheriff's office, Captain Roberta Bradley;
Kat took instant photos while investigating to help her recall the scenes, has a brain disorder;
Frankie Cromwell, Kat's Dad;
Hugo Fuentes - fellow investigator, finds out he is gay, but no one else knows;
Ripley and Hanson are partners, Hanson left gay note for Hugo, later apologized;
Caroline Russo made Travis write the note for Helena, her husband Felix had the money, for the restaurant;
Caroline was jealous of Helena and annoyed that Chris still liked her;
Caroline KILLED both Helena, strangled and Chris with an ice pick.
Caroline almost KILLED both Hugo and Kat.
Darian Rutherford, Scarlett's father;
Shirley & Bob Redman, parents and grandparents, Travis Redman, son/brother;
Chris Wendell, ex boyfriend, but he still wanted to date Helena, MURDERED;
Investigator: Kat Cromwell, Dana Point Sheriff's office, Captain Roberta Bradley;
Kat took instant photos while investigating to help her recall the scenes, has a brain disorder;
Frankie Cromwell, Kat's Dad;
Hugo Fuentes - fellow investigator, finds out he is gay, but no one else knows;
Ripley and Hanson are partners, Hanson left gay note for Hugo, later apologized;
Caroline Russo made Travis write the note for Helena, her husband Felix had the money, for the restaurant;
Caroline was jealous of Helena and annoyed that Chris still liked her;
Caroline KILLED both Helena, strangled and Chris with an ice pick.
Caroline almost KILLED both Hugo and Kat.
July 2, 2025
great start for a new series!
Kat Cromwell is a broken human who survives & functions in a messed-up world by her ingenuity & recognition of her own situation. I know a couple of close friends who operate in very similar ways so she is totally real to me. Kat navigated a very tangled investigation through uncooperative "suspects" and a mostly prickly & uncooperative partner but she ultimately wrapped it up, even though the bow on the package was a bit damaged & worse for the wear.
I enjoyed all the twists & turns of the plot while trying to figure it out myself. I never came close. A very entertaining story with well developed characters & enough plot twists to keep anyone interested. I look forward to the future with Kat Cromwell and her partner, Hugo Fuentes. Thank you, Nick Harvey.
Kat Cromwell is a broken human who survives & functions in a messed-up world by her ingenuity & recognition of her own situation. I know a couple of close friends who operate in very similar ways so she is totally real to me. Kat navigated a very tangled investigation through uncooperative "suspects" and a mostly prickly & uncooperative partner but she ultimately wrapped it up, even though the bow on the package was a bit damaged & worse for the wear.
I enjoyed all the twists & turns of the plot while trying to figure it out myself. I never came close. A very entertaining story with well developed characters & enough plot twists to keep anyone interested. I look forward to the future with Kat Cromwell and her partner, Hugo Fuentes. Thank you, Nick Harvey.
June 14, 2025
Nicholas Harvey definitely didn’t disappoint with this action packed suspense! Investigator Kat Cromwell has finally been assigned as the lead in case, with Hugo as her partner even though he has seniority. When a woman s found murdered, there are so many unanswered questions, and the further into the investigation, the more suspects are added to the list. Kat and Hugo definitely don’t see eye to eye, but they are partners and have to work together, and trust one another…that is the issue. They each have a secret and the only way to succeed in this investigation is to trust and get past their personal issues. I really enjoyed this book, and I had just as long a list of suspects as the author!
June 25, 2025
This is my first read by Nicholas Harvey and now I need to go read his backlists!
Kat is an amazing character - she’s is tough, determined and isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes. She’s got a bit of a chip on her shoulder due to a past investigation and she’s determined to make a name for herself with her current case.
She has biased opinions against her, challenging co-workers and a partner that isn’t her biggest fan. She proves them all wrong and earns a lot of respect.
This fast paced, intriguing read will grip you from the first to to the last page. I binge read this in a day because I had to find out what happened. A great read. The next book in the series is already on my kindle!
Kat is an amazing character - she’s is tough, determined and isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes. She’s got a bit of a chip on her shoulder due to a past investigation and she’s determined to make a name for herself with her current case.
She has biased opinions against her, challenging co-workers and a partner that isn’t her biggest fan. She proves them all wrong and earns a lot of respect.
This fast paced, intriguing read will grip you from the first to to the last page. I binge read this in a day because I had to find out what happened. A great read. The next book in the series is already on my kindle!
June 25, 2025
An Action-Packed Twisty Must Read!
Nicholas Harvey’s *Why She Had to Die* is a phenomenal start to the new Kat Cromwell series. The plot is smart, fast-paced, and loaded with plot twists that kept me guessing until the very end. Kat is a great addition to Nicks long list of strong female protagonists. She is tough, uniquely complex and refreshingly real. The character development is top-notch, and the emotional depth makes the action hit even harder. This book is an absolute must-read for police procedural/thriller fans. I can’t wait for the next one in this series and am hoping one small line buried in the middle of the story may foreshadow a future Kat Cromwell visit to the Cayman Islands!
Nicholas Harvey’s *Why She Had to Die* is a phenomenal start to the new Kat Cromwell series. The plot is smart, fast-paced, and loaded with plot twists that kept me guessing until the very end. Kat is a great addition to Nicks long list of strong female protagonists. She is tough, uniquely complex and refreshingly real. The character development is top-notch, and the emotional depth makes the action hit even harder. This book is an absolute must-read for police procedural/thriller fans. I can’t wait for the next one in this series and am hoping one small line buried in the middle of the story may foreshadow a future Kat Cromwell visit to the Cayman Islands!
June 4, 2025
An exciting new series introducing an interesting main character, female investigator Kat Cromwell, and a strong supporting cast, set in the beautiful Californian community of Dana Point.
It was a great mystery with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end, yet enough hints and clues that you can develop a few theories as you go. You become invested in the lives and relationships of Kat, her fellow investigator Hugo Fuentes, and her family.
The book also leaves a trail of intrigue with much more to learn and be revealed in future stories - I can’t wait to read the next one!
It was a great mystery with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end, yet enough hints and clues that you can develop a few theories as you go. You become invested in the lives and relationships of Kat, her fellow investigator Hugo Fuentes, and her family.
The book also leaves a trail of intrigue with much more to learn and be revealed in future stories - I can’t wait to read the next one!
June 12, 2025
I’m a huge fan of Nicholas Harvey’s books and this one is no different! This new series is situated in the small community of Dana Point CA and brings us a new heroine in Investigator Kat Cromwell. Kat is complex and sort of broken. She’s on her first murder investigation and facing both professional and some mysterious personal obstacles. Her new partner doesn’t help much – or does he? The twists and turns keep the pages turning in hopes of finding all the missing puzzle pieces – and there’s more than one puzzle! Can’t wait for the next book in the series since, yup, there is a cliffhanger!
August 3, 2025
This has been a great new series.. I love Nick's books because I feel like I'm THERE and that's what I look for when I'm reading. Kat is a go getter female cop who just tends to bend the rules a bit .. I just hope with all that boxing she gets to hit somebody good before they get her!! Her partner has finally relaxed and is being a true partner, knowing his secret is safe with her. . I'm not giving away the story, it's at Dana Point, CA, a place I haven't been to in many years but it was beautiful back then.. 90's. As always Nick thanks for another great read.. Looking forward to #3..
August 31, 2025
4.5 New author for me. This was a good mystery with a distinctly different female detective. I liked her partner, too. It has quite a few characters so pay attention. One negative comment: The author is male writing about a female boxing…saying she doesn’t need any “chest” protection. Unless she is flat as a pancake, that is a totally uneducated comment written by the author.
Okay. Perhaps he will do better in the sequel. I do plan to read book two. That is a minor quibble. The author has a sly sense of humor which is welcome in a mystery.
Okay. Perhaps he will do better in the sequel. I do plan to read book two. That is a minor quibble. The author has a sly sense of humor which is welcome in a mystery.
June 7, 2025
Twisty, Dark, and Hard to Put Down. This book is a bit of a change from Nicholas Harvey’s usual style — and I loved it. Why She Had to Die is darker and more layered, with a plot full of twists that kept me guessing. Inspector Kat Cromwell is a great lead: smart, flawed, and easy to root for. The tension between her and her partner adds a nice edge, and the subplot pulled me in even more. Can’t wait for the next one!
July 4, 2025
Why She Had To Die - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
A sudden, shocking, chance encounter for Inspector Kat Cromwell leads to her being first to find not one, but two bodies, at different times and locations, in Nicholas Harvey's Why She Had To Die.
What's the truth hidden in a family's web of secrets and lies from past and present...including some by Kat - and her partner, Hugo Fuentes?
Find out right now by getting a copy of Why She Had To Die right now - the answer will amaze and astound you!
A sudden, shocking, chance encounter for Inspector Kat Cromwell leads to her being first to find not one, but two bodies, at different times and locations, in Nicholas Harvey's Why She Had To Die.
What's the truth hidden in a family's web of secrets and lies from past and present...including some by Kat - and her partner, Hugo Fuentes?
Find out right now by getting a copy of Why She Had To Die right now - the answer will amaze and astound you!
May 26, 2025
What a twisted roller coaster ride this was. I was hooked to the moment I started reading. Kat is an unusual heroin; compassionate and yet violent, hot headed and leaving all the rules behind. There were several storylines, all of them very interesting. There are enough clues to lead to some very interesting thoughts and I can't wait to read the next book and hopefully those will be revealed.
September 24, 2025
I always find it hard to dive into a new series, as I'm always expecting the bar to be high. After reading the AJ Bailey series in the spring, the bar was high, but Nick did not disappoint. I always like a book that is not predictable, but does give some clues to keep guessing multiple ways. Now that the characters are developed, getting into the next book will be easy, and I can't wait.
June 6, 2025
Another great book by Nicholas Harvey! The 1st chapter starts a little slow, but by the 2nd chapter, I was hooked. There are so many believable suspects that it kept me guessing the entire book. I can't wait for book 2.
June 30, 2025
Tremendous!!
Once again Nicholas doesn’t disappoint! Kat Cromwell is an amazing character, and the pace of the novel is great. This will grab you and keep you turning the page well past bedtime!
Once again Nicholas doesn’t disappoint! Kat Cromwell is an amazing character, and the pace of the novel is great. This will grab you and keep you turning the page well past bedtime!
August 14, 2025
Another good read from Nicholas Harvey.
Another strong, but slightly flawed character in an interesting police procedural. An Orange County location instead of the Cayman Islands. Looking forward to the next in the series.
Another strong, but slightly flawed character in an interesting police procedural. An Orange County location instead of the Cayman Islands. Looking forward to the next in the series.
September 16, 2025
Complicated Murder
Who killed Helena? It's a mystery for Kat to investigate as she takes the lead as the investigator along with her new partner, Hugo. Not only is the investigation complicated, but Kat's relationship with Hugo is, too.
Who killed Helena? It's a mystery for Kat to investigate as she takes the lead as the investigator along with her new partner, Hugo. Not only is the investigation complicated, but Kat's relationship with Hugo is, too.
October 17, 2025
First time reading this author. At times the story line dragged a little, but overall an enjoyable read. Several twists and turns throughout with a final twist as to the perpetrator in the end. Will definitely try other books by this author and in the series.
June 29, 2025
Nutburger!
She’s a flake and a basket case and a nutburger all rolled into an investigator we are to believe should still be employed! Ha!!
She’s a flake and a basket case and a nutburger all rolled into an investigator we are to believe should still be employed! Ha!!
July 4, 2025
Outstanding book with good character development and lots of action. A great read.
August 10, 2025
This was my first book by Nicholas Harvey and it was SO GOOD!! I love Kat Cromwell and Hugo!
September 1, 2025
Too complicated.
September 4, 2025
Lots of possible suspects.
But all seemed to be hiding something
I enjoyed it very much.
But all seemed to be hiding something
I enjoyed it very much.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews