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Silas Lopez Seaside Mysteries #2
The Holdfast: A Seaside Mystery Thriller
An elderly homeowner’s seemingly natural death in a slow seaside town needles newly minted police chief Silas Lopez, compelling him to dig into circumstances that refuse to sit right. When a troubling tox screen and a cache of meticulous notes on shadowy real estate deals surface, the death twists into something far more sinister. In a town where every square foot of sand comes with a story, nothing is ever simple.
From the quiet streets of Provincetown to the dark underbelly of property finance, Silas follows a trail of missing records, unlisted sales, and companies that exist only on paper. With each step closer to the truth, the danger mounts, pulling him into the crosshairs of a ruthless real-estate frontman, a syndicate of shell companies, and a conspiracy powered by threats and money.
But standing down isn't in Silas’s nature. A ranch-hand-turned-cop with grit in his blood and a moral compass that won’t budge, he leans on instinct, stubbornness, and the help of civilian advisor Wren Bradford, whose sharp insight keeps the human cost of the investigation in focus. With his team of young cops at his side, Silas navigates forged signatures, whispered threats, and attempted hits as they zero in on a death far too convenient to ignore.
What begins as a routine inquiry becomes a battle for Provincetown itself. In a town where everyone wants a piece of paradise, the hardest thing to protect isn’t the land, but the people who still call it home.
From the quiet streets of Provincetown to the dark underbelly of property finance, Silas follows a trail of missing records, unlisted sales, and companies that exist only on paper. With each step closer to the truth, the danger mounts, pulling him into the crosshairs of a ruthless real-estate frontman, a syndicate of shell companies, and a conspiracy powered by threats and money.
But standing down isn't in Silas’s nature. A ranch-hand-turned-cop with grit in his blood and a moral compass that won’t budge, he leans on instinct, stubbornness, and the help of civilian advisor Wren Bradford, whose sharp insight keeps the human cost of the investigation in focus. With his team of young cops at his side, Silas navigates forged signatures, whispered threats, and attempted hits as they zero in on a death far too convenient to ignore.
What begins as a routine inquiry becomes a battle for Provincetown itself. In a town where everyone wants a piece of paradise, the hardest thing to protect isn’t the land, but the people who still call it home.
430 pages, Paperback
Published September 14, 2026
About the author
Christopher Mirabile
14 books35 followersChristopher Mirabile was born to books. The middle child of a small-town librarian, by the time he was an honors English major at Colgate University, he was certain he would write fiction. Life had other plans. A career in business and law, years spent mentoring and co-founding startups, and several nonfiction books written along the way all came first, while the novels he always intended to write waited patiently in the background.
It took a pandemic, some turbulent times, and a few years of van life—camping across the United States and Canada with his wife and dogs—to finally clear the headspace and bring that long-delayed ambition into focus. Somewhere out in open country, Silas Lopez came into being: a plainspoken former ranch hand who washes up as a police chief at the far tip of Cape Cod. The Silas Lopez Mysteries are Christopher's way of writing about belonging, justice, and the particular magic of Provincetown, the town he now calls home year-round.
And now that the series is underway, Christopher can’t imagine leaving Silas and Wren behind—he suspects Silas still has plenty of stories left to tell. When he isn't writing, he's out in the dunes with his wife, hiking with his dogs (one of whom may recognize himself in these pages), or behind a camera somewhere along the Outer Cape.
It took a pandemic, some turbulent times, and a few years of van life—camping across the United States and Canada with his wife and dogs—to finally clear the headspace and bring that long-delayed ambition into focus. Somewhere out in open country, Silas Lopez came into being: a plainspoken former ranch hand who washes up as a police chief at the far tip of Cape Cod. The Silas Lopez Mysteries are Christopher's way of writing about belonging, justice, and the particular magic of Provincetown, the town he now calls home year-round.
And now that the series is underway, Christopher can’t imagine leaving Silas and Wren behind—he suspects Silas still has plenty of stories left to tell. When he isn't writing, he's out in the dunes with his wife, hiking with his dogs (one of whom may recognize himself in these pages), or behind a camera somewhere along the Outer Cape.
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September 17, 2026
Christopher Mirabile’s The Holdfast: A Silas Lopez Mystery is a sharply plotted mystery that combines a murder investigation with a larger story about greed, development, community, and the meaning of home. At its center is Silas Lopez, the recently arrived police chief of Provincetown, Massachusetts, whose investigation into the seemingly natural death of seventy-seven-year-old Constance “Connie” Blanchard gradually reveals something far more sinister.
Connie appears to have died from acute kidney failure, and a conveniently placed Do Not Resuscitate order initially discourages further questions. Silas, however, is bothered by several details surrounding the death, including an earlier fire at Connie’s house and the insistence of his partner, Wren, that Connie had been healthy. Toxicology eventually reveals that Connie died from a dangerous interaction between her prescribed statin and azithromycin, an antibiotic she apparently had no reason to be taking. When suspicious pills are discovered in her medication bottle, Silas begins treating the case as murder.
The investigation quickly becomes more complicated. Connie had complained that she was being watched and pressured to sell her cottage, while unusual zoning decisions, permits, easements, renovations, and property transfers have been occurring around her neighborhood. What initially sounded like the fears of an elderly woman increasingly appears to have been an accurate assessment of a coordinated campaign against her.
At the center of that campaign are Carter Drayton, an arrogant local operative, and wealthy Boston developer Jack Raddick. Through shell companies and intermediaries, properties surrounding Connie’s home have been quietly acquired for an enormously lucrative luxury hotel project. Connie’s refusal to sell makes her more than an inconvenience: she is the remaining obstacle to the project’s expansion. The potential financial rewards are enormous, giving Silas both a motive for the murder and an increasingly dangerous group of adversaries.
Mirabile keeps raising the stakes without abandoning the procedural elements that make the mystery convincing. Silas follows property records, interviews witnesses, examines forensic evidence, tracks corporate connections, and relies upon his officers to pursue separate leads. At the same time, someone repeatedly attempts to derail the investigation. Records are targeted by fire, Silas is attacked, a tracking device is attached to his vehicle, and he and Bandit narrowly escape death after being locked inside Connie’s shed while it fills with propane.
Connie herself remains an important presence even after her death. Evidence she leaves behind—including correspondence and recordings of threatening calls—demonstrates that she understood much of what was happening around her and had carefully documented it. Her stubborn refusal to surrender her home also gives the novel its thematic center. Connie is quite literally holding her ground against people who regard Provincetown primarily as an investment opportunity.
As Silas follows the increasingly tangled trail, the investigation draws him deeper into the collision between money, influence, and a community whose character is itself at stake. Mirabile keeps the mystery moving toward a satisfying resolution while leaving room for Silas and Provincetown to become as important as the solution to Connie’s death.
Silas is an appealing protagonist partly because Mirabile allows him to be competent without making him infallible. He is stubborn, irreverent, occasionally abrasive, and willing to operate unconventionally, but his commitment to the people under his protection is genuine. The supporting police characters also matter because the investigation becomes a collective effort rather than simply a showcase for an impossibly brilliant detective.
The murder mystery ultimately parallels Silas’s personal story. He arrives in Provincetown as something of an outsider, but the investigation gradually makes him responsible for protecting a place to which he is becoming increasingly attached. His developing relationship with Wren, his companionship with Bandit, and the possibility of a future at Bayberry Hollow all give the conclusion an emotional dimension beyond solving Connie’s murder.
That makes The Holdfast more than a conventional whodunit. The title captures the novel’s central concern: what anchors people to a place, and what happens when money and power attempt to uproot them. Connie refuses to surrender her home; Silas learns that he may finally have found one. Christopher Mirabile brings those two strands together in an engaging mystery that balances procedural detail, suspense, humor, and a surprisingly thoughtful examination of what it means to belong.
Connie appears to have died from acute kidney failure, and a conveniently placed Do Not Resuscitate order initially discourages further questions. Silas, however, is bothered by several details surrounding the death, including an earlier fire at Connie’s house and the insistence of his partner, Wren, that Connie had been healthy. Toxicology eventually reveals that Connie died from a dangerous interaction between her prescribed statin and azithromycin, an antibiotic she apparently had no reason to be taking. When suspicious pills are discovered in her medication bottle, Silas begins treating the case as murder.
The investigation quickly becomes more complicated. Connie had complained that she was being watched and pressured to sell her cottage, while unusual zoning decisions, permits, easements, renovations, and property transfers have been occurring around her neighborhood. What initially sounded like the fears of an elderly woman increasingly appears to have been an accurate assessment of a coordinated campaign against her.
At the center of that campaign are Carter Drayton, an arrogant local operative, and wealthy Boston developer Jack Raddick. Through shell companies and intermediaries, properties surrounding Connie’s home have been quietly acquired for an enormously lucrative luxury hotel project. Connie’s refusal to sell makes her more than an inconvenience: she is the remaining obstacle to the project’s expansion. The potential financial rewards are enormous, giving Silas both a motive for the murder and an increasingly dangerous group of adversaries.
Mirabile keeps raising the stakes without abandoning the procedural elements that make the mystery convincing. Silas follows property records, interviews witnesses, examines forensic evidence, tracks corporate connections, and relies upon his officers to pursue separate leads. At the same time, someone repeatedly attempts to derail the investigation. Records are targeted by fire, Silas is attacked, a tracking device is attached to his vehicle, and he and Bandit narrowly escape death after being locked inside Connie’s shed while it fills with propane.
Connie herself remains an important presence even after her death. Evidence she leaves behind—including correspondence and recordings of threatening calls—demonstrates that she understood much of what was happening around her and had carefully documented it. Her stubborn refusal to surrender her home also gives the novel its thematic center. Connie is quite literally holding her ground against people who regard Provincetown primarily as an investment opportunity.
As Silas follows the increasingly tangled trail, the investigation draws him deeper into the collision between money, influence, and a community whose character is itself at stake. Mirabile keeps the mystery moving toward a satisfying resolution while leaving room for Silas and Provincetown to become as important as the solution to Connie’s death.
Silas is an appealing protagonist partly because Mirabile allows him to be competent without making him infallible. He is stubborn, irreverent, occasionally abrasive, and willing to operate unconventionally, but his commitment to the people under his protection is genuine. The supporting police characters also matter because the investigation becomes a collective effort rather than simply a showcase for an impossibly brilliant detective.
The murder mystery ultimately parallels Silas’s personal story. He arrives in Provincetown as something of an outsider, but the investigation gradually makes him responsible for protecting a place to which he is becoming increasingly attached. His developing relationship with Wren, his companionship with Bandit, and the possibility of a future at Bayberry Hollow all give the conclusion an emotional dimension beyond solving Connie’s murder.
That makes The Holdfast more than a conventional whodunit. The title captures the novel’s central concern: what anchors people to a place, and what happens when money and power attempt to uproot them. Connie refuses to surrender her home; Silas learns that he may finally have found one. Christopher Mirabile brings those two strands together in an engaging mystery that balances procedural detail, suspense, humor, and a surprisingly thoughtful examination of what it means to belong.
September 15, 2026
One of my favorite things about The Holdfast is how much care the author gives to his characters. Returning to Silas Lopez and the people surrounding him felt like revisiting a town and a group of characters I already knew and cared about, while still getting to see them grow in meaningful ways.
The opening of the mystery was particularly well done. An older woman is found dead in her home under circumstances that initially seem relatively straightforward, but as Silas begins noticing small details that don’t quite add up, the investigation gradually becomes something more. I loved watching him work through those seemingly insignificant clues. It has that wonderfully traditional mystery feeling of following an investigator as he slowly realizes there is more going on than meets the eye, while still feeling grounded in realistic police work.
What really sets this series apart for me, though, is that the mystery isn’t the only thing that matters. Mirabile gives just as much attention to the characters, their relationships, and the community around them. There are quieter, very human moments throughout the book that make these characters feel like people with lives beyond the case they’re working and give the story such a strong sense of place.
I especially enjoyed seeing how much Silas has grown into his role as chief of police since the first book. His department is finding its footing alongside him, and it was rewarding to see those relationships and dynamics continue to develop. I also loved seeing more of Silas and Wren’s relationship. I’m not usually someone who gravitates toward romance in my mysteries, but theirs feels understated, mature, and genuine without ever taking over the larger story.
And, of course, Bandit the dog remains one of my favorite characters! I loved that he had an even more significant role this time around, including some important moments in the story, while also developing some new skills of his own.
A wonderful second installment in the Silas Lopez series, and I’m looking forward to seeing where these characters go next!
The opening of the mystery was particularly well done. An older woman is found dead in her home under circumstances that initially seem relatively straightforward, but as Silas begins noticing small details that don’t quite add up, the investigation gradually becomes something more. I loved watching him work through those seemingly insignificant clues. It has that wonderfully traditional mystery feeling of following an investigator as he slowly realizes there is more going on than meets the eye, while still feeling grounded in realistic police work.
What really sets this series apart for me, though, is that the mystery isn’t the only thing that matters. Mirabile gives just as much attention to the characters, their relationships, and the community around them. There are quieter, very human moments throughout the book that make these characters feel like people with lives beyond the case they’re working and give the story such a strong sense of place.
I especially enjoyed seeing how much Silas has grown into his role as chief of police since the first book. His department is finding its footing alongside him, and it was rewarding to see those relationships and dynamics continue to develop. I also loved seeing more of Silas and Wren’s relationship. I’m not usually someone who gravitates toward romance in my mysteries, but theirs feels understated, mature, and genuine without ever taking over the larger story.
And, of course, Bandit the dog remains one of my favorite characters! I loved that he had an even more significant role this time around, including some important moments in the story, while also developing some new skills of his own.
A wonderful second installment in the Silas Lopez series, and I’m looking forward to seeing where these characters go next!
September 15, 2026
This is one of my favorite series of this year!!
This review took me soooo long because I love this series so much, I had so much to say, and just couldn’t put it into words.
I could talk about the story itself, but I feel like the characters are what make the story. Yes, there is action, an amazing storyline, there’s always a case or two or five to solve, and it’s a great storyline.
But the characters are phenomal and written so well that I have absolutely fallen in love with them.
Silas is like a roasted marshmallow…. He has a hard crust on the outside & may not look like much from a distance, but when you get to the center he’s soft, and sweet.
He’s still navigating his new life adventure, his role as chief is demanding, and he’s trying to tame his staff.
While all this is going on, he’s in a new relationship that he never expected to be in with the amazing, patient, and kind Wren.
I feel like I’m there, in the story, right alongside everyone as I’m reading. It’s refreshing to feel like I would know the characters if I saw them on the street, even the side characters, like Bandit the dog and Genny, because the author has painted the picture so well.
I really enjoyed getting to read another book in this series and hope there are many more to come.
Thank you NetGalley and the author for this advanced reader copy!
This review took me soooo long because I love this series so much, I had so much to say, and just couldn’t put it into words.
I could talk about the story itself, but I feel like the characters are what make the story. Yes, there is action, an amazing storyline, there’s always a case or two or five to solve, and it’s a great storyline.
But the characters are phenomal and written so well that I have absolutely fallen in love with them.
Silas is like a roasted marshmallow…. He has a hard crust on the outside & may not look like much from a distance, but when you get to the center he’s soft, and sweet.
He’s still navigating his new life adventure, his role as chief is demanding, and he’s trying to tame his staff.
While all this is going on, he’s in a new relationship that he never expected to be in with the amazing, patient, and kind Wren.
I feel like I’m there, in the story, right alongside everyone as I’m reading. It’s refreshing to feel like I would know the characters if I saw them on the street, even the side characters, like Bandit the dog and Genny, because the author has painted the picture so well.
I really enjoyed getting to read another book in this series and hope there are many more to come.
Thank you NetGalley and the author for this advanced reader copy!
Review of advance copy
If you are a fan of C. J. Box or Micheal Connelly you will likely be a fan of Chris Mirabile. His writing is straight forward, concise, and captures both a sense of place and character. Like Joe Picket in C J Box’s series, Mirabile has created a tough, honest, determined western cowboy who has washed up on the shores of Massachusetts; Provincetown to be precise. This dislocation adds to the charm and grit of the book as Silas adjusts and works his way into the new and strange culture. At the same time the book has a great deal of humor: in part Silas’s own turn of phrase, but also some funny situations. (To my surprised I laughed out loud several times in chapter 63)
This is the second in the Silas Lopez series, and it's just as good as the first, The Washashore. You don't need to have read that one to enjoy this — though part of the fun is watching Silas and the people around him grow and their relationships deepen over time. Mirabile has a real gift for capturing how an outsider slowly integrates into a place as singular as Provincetown.
But the real strength here is the mystery itself. Mirabile's easy, economical style keeps the story moving at a good clip, with intriguing twists along the way, and Silas and his young team bring real determination to the case. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a strong sense of place.
This is the second in the Silas Lopez series, and it's just as good as the first, The Washashore. You don't need to have read that one to enjoy this — though part of the fun is watching Silas and the people around him grow and their relationships deepen over time. Mirabile has a real gift for capturing how an outsider slowly integrates into a place as singular as Provincetown.
But the real strength here is the mystery itself. Mirabile's easy, economical style keeps the story moving at a good clip, with intriguing twists along the way, and Silas and his young team bring real determination to the case. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a strong sense of place.
September 16, 2026
You know how sometimes second books in a series seem to lose momentum and feel underwhelming? Well not this time!!! It feels like meeting up with old friends, and then getting caught up in a dangerous whirlwind of suspense. Silas is back at it with his sharp intuition and his determination to see justice. Wren and Bandit are the sweetest sidekicks ever, teaming up to help Silas get to the bottom of this latest real estate themed mystery. But don’t be fooled by their sweetness, they mean business. And the whole Provincetown police department is growing and showing their true potential.
This book reads perfectly well as a standalone, but to get the full experience, start with book 1, The Washashore.
I was an ARC reader for this book.
This book reads perfectly well as a standalone, but to get the full experience, start with book 1, The Washashore.
I was an ARC reader for this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed reading this book, as well as The Washashore. The Holdfast builds on the first book in the series and strengthens the narrative, adding complexity and greater richness. This is a natural development as we learn more about the fictional Provincetown community and police force. Christopher draws on his experiences in business and entrepreneurship to give these stories a bit of a different twist that I like a lot, since I can identify with those experiences. For example, Silas is not just a Chief of Police in charge, wanting to control his staff, be organized and take care of business. Instead, he comes to town with a new perspective on police leadership. He's not a good old boy and not connected with the New England network. Like a good 21st century leader, he tries to objectively learn about and understand his team (yes, they're a team to him), and he wants to help each of them grow, set goals, achieve goals and advance their careers. I've never been inside a police force, but this feels very different from most other fictional accounts of the police. Also, most police / crime mysteries do not make the Chief the main character.
But it's not Silas' leadership that keeps you engaged in reading. The reason I kept picking it up and let the story linger was due to the great storytelling and the flow. We get to know Silas, Wren and all the others and we want to see how they think and where they're going. We want to help them find answers and solve the crimes. The Washashore set up the characters, the background and the narrative style, using an initial crime to carry interest during this development. The Holdfast has the luxury of assuming we know the town and people a bit, and we get to hang out, explore more and solve the crimes. Noteworthy is that despite the foundational development of the series, Mirabile reminds us subtly and effortless of details we should have known from the previous book, in case we didn't read it. This way, you can start on The Holdfast without having read The Washashore (at least that's what I sense, since I came into book 2 after reading book 1).
Overall, as a writer myself, I found this to be is as much fun to read as Christopher must have had writing it. The story engaged me and made me feel like I was riding through on the horse that Silas left back home. Looking forward to book 3 and following along on some more adventures where a modern cowboy police chief meets the East Coast that is rooted in American tradition.
But it's not Silas' leadership that keeps you engaged in reading. The reason I kept picking it up and let the story linger was due to the great storytelling and the flow. We get to know Silas, Wren and all the others and we want to see how they think and where they're going. We want to help them find answers and solve the crimes. The Washashore set up the characters, the background and the narrative style, using an initial crime to carry interest during this development. The Holdfast has the luxury of assuming we know the town and people a bit, and we get to hang out, explore more and solve the crimes. Noteworthy is that despite the foundational development of the series, Mirabile reminds us subtly and effortless of details we should have known from the previous book, in case we didn't read it. This way, you can start on The Holdfast without having read The Washashore (at least that's what I sense, since I came into book 2 after reading book 1).
Overall, as a writer myself, I found this to be is as much fun to read as Christopher must have had writing it. The story engaged me and made me feel like I was riding through on the horse that Silas left back home. Looking forward to book 3 and following along on some more adventures where a modern cowboy police chief meets the East Coast that is rooted in American tradition.
September 2, 2026
The stakes are higher, the case more intimate and intricate…
Fans of the Alex Cross novels will want to dive head first into this series!
I honestly cannot get enough of Silas Lopez and the rest of the Provincetown gang. The Washashore was easily my top mystery thriller of the year and now The Holdfast has tied for that spot. This is a Mystery-Thriller-Romance… Law Enforcement style.
It is so fascinating to read the interactions between the police and the medical staff and the level of information we receive to be able to understand what is happening and why the information was so important to the case, to understand why the COD didn’t seem legit, and how it all ties into the investigation. You can tell how much research and personal experience the author has woven into this story.
Silas is a phenomenal police chief and the way his mind works is unreal! We get to see all the resources, departments, and consults cops use to solve a case and the teamwork that goes into the success of a case. With so much description I could easily visualize the scene and actions of the characters. I understand that it is a work of fiction, but the police work is fascinating!
I LOVE SILAS AND WREN. I love how compatibly awkward they are together and how much they just work! They are so patient and understanding with each other and I giggle knowing it’s her wanting to take things to the “next level” and not him pushing for it… such a gentleman! Also, we have been given the SLOWEST of slow burns and I’m obsessed!!!!! Plus we have Bandit, the sandwich stealing hound who brings a much needed level of humor to the plot!
I also think it’s important to note and appreciate that while this is book two therefore it is a continued timeline, we are only months in the future, not years. A small time hop, not a big one, which makes everything about this story seem natural. Plus, short chapters!!!
Overall, Silas is the kind of cop you want on your side, and he is training his unit to be the same. The case is believable, the characters are root-for-able, and the relationships are authentic, and I most definitely will be picking up the next installment while simultaneously recommending to anyone that will listen.
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read their work. I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest review!
Fans of the Alex Cross novels will want to dive head first into this series!
I honestly cannot get enough of Silas Lopez and the rest of the Provincetown gang. The Washashore was easily my top mystery thriller of the year and now The Holdfast has tied for that spot. This is a Mystery-Thriller-Romance… Law Enforcement style.
It is so fascinating to read the interactions between the police and the medical staff and the level of information we receive to be able to understand what is happening and why the information was so important to the case, to understand why the COD didn’t seem legit, and how it all ties into the investigation. You can tell how much research and personal experience the author has woven into this story.
Silas is a phenomenal police chief and the way his mind works is unreal! We get to see all the resources, departments, and consults cops use to solve a case and the teamwork that goes into the success of a case. With so much description I could easily visualize the scene and actions of the characters. I understand that it is a work of fiction, but the police work is fascinating!
I LOVE SILAS AND WREN. I love how compatibly awkward they are together and how much they just work! They are so patient and understanding with each other and I giggle knowing it’s her wanting to take things to the “next level” and not him pushing for it… such a gentleman! Also, we have been given the SLOWEST of slow burns and I’m obsessed!!!!! Plus we have Bandit, the sandwich stealing hound who brings a much needed level of humor to the plot!
I also think it’s important to note and appreciate that while this is book two therefore it is a continued timeline, we are only months in the future, not years. A small time hop, not a big one, which makes everything about this story seem natural. Plus, short chapters!!!
Overall, Silas is the kind of cop you want on your side, and he is training his unit to be the same. The case is believable, the characters are root-for-able, and the relationships are authentic, and I most definitely will be picking up the next installment while simultaneously recommending to anyone that will listen.
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read their work. I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Holdfast, Book 2 in Christopher Mirabile's Silas Lopez Mystery series, picks up in the Cape Cod town Silas has come to call home—and it doesn't disappoint. Where The Washashore introduced us to Silas and his new department, The Holdfast lets the team really come into its own, and watching these characters grow together is one of the book's greatest pleasures.
The plot moves with the same gripping energy that made the first book such a standout, weaving suspense and small-town texture into a case that tests the department in new ways. Mirabile clearly knows this world—the rhythms of the department, the personalities of the officers, the pull of the landscape—and it shows in how naturally the story unfolds. There's a real sense of momentum here, the kind that keeps you turning pages late into the night.
What stands out most is the character development. Silas continues to grow into his role, but it's the deepening bonds within the team that give this installment its heart. You come away feeling like you know these officers—their quirks, their loyalties, their instincts—and that familiarity makes the suspense hit even harder. And of course, Bandit is back as Silas's ever-faithful, thoroughly adorable sidekick, adding warmth to even the tensest moments.
The romance between Silas and Wren also takes some lovely steps forward in this book. Their relationship has a natural, unhurried quality that makes it easy to root for, and the Thanksgiving scene where Silas meets Wren's family is a real highlight—two very different worlds colliding in a way that's funny, a little awkward, and ultimately quite touching. It's one of those moments that stays with you after you close the book.
The Holdfast is a worthy follow-up: suspenseful, warm, and full of the same energy and heart that made the series debut so promising. Highly recommended for mystery fans and anyone who loves a good police procedural with real people—and one very good dog—at its center.
The plot moves with the same gripping energy that made the first book such a standout, weaving suspense and small-town texture into a case that tests the department in new ways. Mirabile clearly knows this world—the rhythms of the department, the personalities of the officers, the pull of the landscape—and it shows in how naturally the story unfolds. There's a real sense of momentum here, the kind that keeps you turning pages late into the night.
What stands out most is the character development. Silas continues to grow into his role, but it's the deepening bonds within the team that give this installment its heart. You come away feeling like you know these officers—their quirks, their loyalties, their instincts—and that familiarity makes the suspense hit even harder. And of course, Bandit is back as Silas's ever-faithful, thoroughly adorable sidekick, adding warmth to even the tensest moments.
The romance between Silas and Wren also takes some lovely steps forward in this book. Their relationship has a natural, unhurried quality that makes it easy to root for, and the Thanksgiving scene where Silas meets Wren's family is a real highlight—two very different worlds colliding in a way that's funny, a little awkward, and ultimately quite touching. It's one of those moments that stays with you after you close the book.
The Holdfast is a worthy follow-up: suspenseful, warm, and full of the same energy and heart that made the series debut so promising. Highly recommended for mystery fans and anyone who loves a good police procedural with real people—and one very good dog—at its center.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love discovering a mystery series with a protagonist who makes me want to come back for the next book. Christopher Mirabile has created that kind of character in Silas Lopez, the newly appointed police chief of Provincetown, Massachusetts.
Silas is an interesting outsider in a town with a very strong identity. A cowboy-turned-lawman with decidedly Western ways, he must navigate a close-knit New England community populated by Portuguese fishermen, Cape Cod traditionalists, Jamaican craftsmen, and a richly diverse LGBTQ community. His straightforward approach to police work doesn't always translate easily to Provincetown's complicated social landscape.
In The Holdfast, the tourists have left for the season when a much-loved local resident dies. What initially appears to be a natural death takes a darker turn when the autopsy reveals otherwise. Silas approaches the investigation with his characteristic persistence, pragmatism, and willingness to challenge people who would rather not answer his questions.
What I particularly enjoyed was the contrast between Silas's confidence as a lawman and his uncertainty in personal relationships. His developing relationship with Wren Bradford, a forthright local social worker with deep New England roots, brings out a more vulnerable side of his character. Their differences create an engaging dynamic that adds another dimension to the story.
Mirabile also understands that in a good series, place matters. Provincetown isn't simply a backdrop for the mystery. Its history, traditions, personalities, and diversity become part of the story itself.
Readers who enjoy police procedurals with strong characters, small-town secrets, distinctive settings, and a protagonist who is still learning as he goes will find much to enjoy in The Holdfast and the Silas Lopez Seaside Mystery Series.
And yes—I'm ready for the next one.
Bring on the chili—and cranberries.
Silas is an interesting outsider in a town with a very strong identity. A cowboy-turned-lawman with decidedly Western ways, he must navigate a close-knit New England community populated by Portuguese fishermen, Cape Cod traditionalists, Jamaican craftsmen, and a richly diverse LGBTQ community. His straightforward approach to police work doesn't always translate easily to Provincetown's complicated social landscape.
In The Holdfast, the tourists have left for the season when a much-loved local resident dies. What initially appears to be a natural death takes a darker turn when the autopsy reveals otherwise. Silas approaches the investigation with his characteristic persistence, pragmatism, and willingness to challenge people who would rather not answer his questions.
What I particularly enjoyed was the contrast between Silas's confidence as a lawman and his uncertainty in personal relationships. His developing relationship with Wren Bradford, a forthright local social worker with deep New England roots, brings out a more vulnerable side of his character. Their differences create an engaging dynamic that adds another dimension to the story.
Mirabile also understands that in a good series, place matters. Provincetown isn't simply a backdrop for the mystery. Its history, traditions, personalities, and diversity become part of the story itself.
Readers who enjoy police procedurals with strong characters, small-town secrets, distinctive settings, and a protagonist who is still learning as he goes will find much to enjoy in The Holdfast and the Silas Lopez Seaside Mystery Series.
And yes—I'm ready for the next one.
Bring on the chili—and cranberries.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Brilliant, captivating, wonderful character development and plenty of surprises in this Cape Cod thriller, The Holdfast.
Christopher Mirabile didn’t disappoint in book two of the Silas Lopez series.
The suspense of police work in Provincetown Massachusetts with Silas Lopez and his professionally developing department is much more cerebral than the typical blood and guts depiction in other murder mysteries.
Silas often surprises as how smart and experienced he is in his police knowledge and clever tricks of the trade.
A little bull headed at times, Silas goes into situations often without a safety net and nearly gets himself done in more than once, adding to the suspense.
Silas’s internal (in italics in the book) and spoken dialog in metaphor (particularly in Western farmhand lingo) is very delightful.
A few female heroines in Silas’s department and in the community, amidst less machismo in police work is quite welcome and refreshing to this female reader.
As the story developed with beautiful descriptions of a cast of characters, this really allowed me to know them like we know a good friend.
The author dabbles in issues of corporate greed, government oversight or lack thereof, power and control, and intricacies of the ME and DA’s office. He also addresses effects of people in the public eye and on their loved ones, Boston Brahmin personalities and the way of life on outer Cape Cod.
Not exactly sure but Wren and Silas may have consummated their relationship as the curtain closes.
Plenty of room in book two, “The Holdfast”, to circle around to tying up some loose ends and developing other growing matters in book three and whatever else there is to come.
The Silas Lopez series, continues to be a serious page turner just like book 1- The Washashore.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Christopher Mirabile didn’t disappoint in book two of the Silas Lopez series.
The suspense of police work in Provincetown Massachusetts with Silas Lopez and his professionally developing department is much more cerebral than the typical blood and guts depiction in other murder mysteries.
Silas often surprises as how smart and experienced he is in his police knowledge and clever tricks of the trade.
A little bull headed at times, Silas goes into situations often without a safety net and nearly gets himself done in more than once, adding to the suspense.
Silas’s internal (in italics in the book) and spoken dialog in metaphor (particularly in Western farmhand lingo) is very delightful.
A few female heroines in Silas’s department and in the community, amidst less machismo in police work is quite welcome and refreshing to this female reader.
As the story developed with beautiful descriptions of a cast of characters, this really allowed me to know them like we know a good friend.
The author dabbles in issues of corporate greed, government oversight or lack thereof, power and control, and intricacies of the ME and DA’s office. He also addresses effects of people in the public eye and on their loved ones, Boston Brahmin personalities and the way of life on outer Cape Cod.
Not exactly sure but Wren and Silas may have consummated their relationship as the curtain closes.
Plenty of room in book two, “The Holdfast”, to circle around to tying up some loose ends and developing other growing matters in book three and whatever else there is to come.
The Silas Lopez series, continues to be a serious page turner just like book 1- The Washashore.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you liked The Washashore, you will love The Holdfast. And if you have not yet had the pleasure of reading The Washashore, don’t hesitate on The Holdfast, as the relatable plot stands alone. Do be aware, though, the second book in the Silas Lopez series will lure you into both the fast-moving narrative and the appeals of Provincetown. The cowboy-turned-police-chief is still gaining comfort with his relatively new surroundings and finds no time to reflect on past successes when a seemingly accidental death becomes problematic. As Lopez focuses on gathering evidence, the reader finds he is no longer a curiosity to his colleagues, and Lopez emerges as a man of thought, usually quick thought, accompanied by decisive, effective action and communication that helps his team cooperate. At the same time he is extremely intentional, often creating a bit of distance from a situation in order to gain perspective. Silas Lopez is still learning, and a reader suspects that he always will be. Such a close perspective could, in less capable hands, become tedious, but in fact, in The Holdfast, Christopher Mirabile has hit his stride, using the setting, supporting cast, and romantic storyline not only to get after the bad guys but also to keep the hero real. Lovers of coastal settings, mystery and police procedural crime should read The Holdfast, they will be satisfied, entertained and looking forward to more. Note: thanks to NetGalley and the author for making an advance review copy of the The Holdfast available to this reviewer, whose opinions are solely her own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a strong follow-on to an already strong debut. Set a couple months after the conclusion of book one (The Washashore) this book finds Silas Lopez settling a more established relationship with Wren Bradford and starting to feel at home in his new seaside home when a seemingly straightforward death by natural causes starts to "take on a stink" as Silas describes it. The result is an increasingly complex and menacing conspiracy that exposes Silas to two attempts on his life while he methodically builds a provable case.
Set in a lovingly-described seaside town after most of the tourists have gone home, this book drips with lush atmosphere. The prose is gorgeous and the dialogue - especially Silas's - is sharp and colorful. The pacing is relentless taking you through just enough procedural detail to keep it feeling plausible and grounded. The recurring characters are every bit as strong as the first book and the new characters are also richly described.
This is the rare series where I am genuinely impatient for the next one to come out. Based on some social media posts, I know the author is working on audiobook versions, so I may listen to the audiobook versions of book one and two while I wait. Bravo!
Set in a lovingly-described seaside town after most of the tourists have gone home, this book drips with lush atmosphere. The prose is gorgeous and the dialogue - especially Silas's - is sharp and colorful. The pacing is relentless taking you through just enough procedural detail to keep it feeling plausible and grounded. The recurring characters are every bit as strong as the first book and the new characters are also richly described.
This is the rare series where I am genuinely impatient for the next one to come out. Based on some social media posts, I know the author is working on audiobook versions, so I may listen to the audiobook versions of book one and two while I wait. Bravo!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Only read The Holdout if you like at least one of these things:
• Strong characters
• A page-turning plot
• Justice for the weak
• Romance
• Lucinda Williams song references
• New England
• Michael Connelly’s novels
• Small-town politics
• Deft police detective work
• Technology
• Dogs that are inseparable from their owners
• Southwestern cooking
The Holdout builds on a strong debut novel and allows author and Provincetown native Christopher Mirabile to bring more depth to Silas Lopez and Wren Bradshaw, the main characters. If you doubt the cliché that opposites attract, just know these two will need an antidote to Super Glue to pull them apart. Both are easy characters to root for. And soon, you’ll be casting the perfect actors to play each of them in the movie.
Provincetown is an ideal setting for these two characters. The places and names jump off the page, and before you’re finished with The Holdout, you’ll be imagining a visit to Ptown to check out the town and its breezy, sandy environs.
This reader wonders what could possibly happen in the follow up novel in this Silas Lopez series. I hope it arrives before Christmas 2027 so I have an easy gift choice for everyone on my list.
• Strong characters
• A page-turning plot
• Justice for the weak
• Romance
• Lucinda Williams song references
• New England
• Michael Connelly’s novels
• Small-town politics
• Deft police detective work
• Technology
• Dogs that are inseparable from their owners
• Southwestern cooking
The Holdout builds on a strong debut novel and allows author and Provincetown native Christopher Mirabile to bring more depth to Silas Lopez and Wren Bradshaw, the main characters. If you doubt the cliché that opposites attract, just know these two will need an antidote to Super Glue to pull them apart. Both are easy characters to root for. And soon, you’ll be casting the perfect actors to play each of them in the movie.
Provincetown is an ideal setting for these two characters. The places and names jump off the page, and before you’re finished with The Holdout, you’ll be imagining a visit to Ptown to check out the town and its breezy, sandy environs.
This reader wonders what could possibly happen in the follow up novel in this Silas Lopez series. I hope it arrives before Christmas 2027 so I have an easy gift choice for everyone on my list.
Review of advance copy
Received as an ARC through Booksirens to read and review, this is an honest review.
Author Christopher Mirabile is back if you enjoyed The Washashore, then its sequel The Holdfast should definitely make to your TBR.
Provincetown may be a small town but it's finding itself getting into a spider's web of a mess that could consume a beautiful place that police chief Silas Lopez has fallen in love with.
And it all begins with a death of elderly woman that sends shockwaves through the town... and opens a Pandora's box.
Connie Blanchard was a force to wrecking with as Silas and his colleagues discover as the woman was devotedly obsessed with the changing developing landscape that was going uproot what makes Provincetown a gem along the coast. If even it meant becoming a target by those that feel they flaunt ego, money - and even darker means to get their deals done.
It's a mighty hell of hornets nest to kick up as Silas continues his investigation but Silas is not the type of guy that won't be put off as the murder case keeps twisting down new roads that lead to new questions... and darker answers.
Highly recommended.
Author Christopher Mirabile is back if you enjoyed The Washashore, then its sequel The Holdfast should definitely make to your TBR.
Provincetown may be a small town but it's finding itself getting into a spider's web of a mess that could consume a beautiful place that police chief Silas Lopez has fallen in love with.
And it all begins with a death of elderly woman that sends shockwaves through the town... and opens a Pandora's box.
Connie Blanchard was a force to wrecking with as Silas and his colleagues discover as the woman was devotedly obsessed with the changing developing landscape that was going uproot what makes Provincetown a gem along the coast. If even it meant becoming a target by those that feel they flaunt ego, money - and even darker means to get their deals done.
It's a mighty hell of hornets nest to kick up as Silas continues his investigation but Silas is not the type of guy that won't be put off as the murder case keeps twisting down new roads that lead to new questions... and darker answers.
Highly recommended.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Provincetown and the Outer Cape are more than just a backdrop to the story. The weather, the small-town dynamics, the older homes, the harbor, the quirky local details—it all gives the book a very specific sense of place. You can feel the damp November air while Silas is making his rounds.
Silas Lopez is not the stereotypical hard-edged detective. He’s observant, stubborn when his instincts tell him something isn't right, and surprisingly thoughtful about both his coworkers and the people he encounters.
The case itself starts with what looks like a fairly ordinary unattended death, but Silas isn't convinced everything adds up. The investigation expands into medication, property development, local politics, and the pressures facing people who don't necessarily want to sell their homes and disappear just because a developer sees an opportunity.
And I have to mention Bandit. The dog absolutely steals some scenes.
Overall, The Holdfast is a character-driven mystery with a strong sense of place, an interesting investigation, and a protagonist who is easy to root for.
Silas Lopez is not the stereotypical hard-edged detective. He’s observant, stubborn when his instincts tell him something isn't right, and surprisingly thoughtful about both his coworkers and the people he encounters.
The case itself starts with what looks like a fairly ordinary unattended death, but Silas isn't convinced everything adds up. The investigation expands into medication, property development, local politics, and the pressures facing people who don't necessarily want to sell their homes and disappear just because a developer sees an opportunity.
And I have to mention Bandit. The dog absolutely steals some scenes.
Overall, The Holdfast is a character-driven mystery with a strong sense of place, an interesting investigation, and a protagonist who is easy to root for.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Listed as a mystery/thriller, I'd classify it more as a police procedural. I struggle a bit with Silas's self-consciously cowboy persona, and the issues he struggles with as a big, strong man protecting his "little woman." He has the same strong moral compass as the early Spenser (but, thankfully, no Hawk - though I loved Hawk, we don't need another), and similar issues with his "girl", who is a bit uncomfortable with his huge devotion and macho mannerisms.
So that's the negative impressions. On the positive side, Silas tries very hard to deal with his personal issues, but also works very hard to grow his team in the police force. I'd like to have seen a bit more back story about the folks in his team, though. The story itself is engaging and kept me interested in how Silas would close the net on the bad guy, whose identity was telegraphed pretty early, hence my calling this a "procedural" instead of a mystery. Mirabile does keep the door open for one of the antagonists to reappear in a future novel.
Overall a good read, but I'd like a bit more depth.
So that's the negative impressions. On the positive side, Silas tries very hard to deal with his personal issues, but also works very hard to grow his team in the police force. I'd like to have seen a bit more back story about the folks in his team, though. The story itself is engaging and kept me interested in how Silas would close the net on the bad guy, whose identity was telegraphed pretty early, hence my calling this a "procedural" instead of a mystery. Mirabile does keep the door open for one of the antagonists to reappear in a future novel.
Overall a good read, but I'd like a bit more depth.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The idyllic shores of Cape Cod hide dark secrets in Christopher Mirabile’s thrilling sequel to "The Washashore".
Newly appointed Chief of Police Silas Lopez and his young Provincetown team have barely caught their breath when a beloved local widow is found dead under mysterious circumstances. Connected to the department through Silas’s romantic interest, the victim initially appears to have died of natural causes. But when the scene is exposed as a clumsily disguised murder, Silas uncovers a trail of clues left by an unexpectedly dangerous "harmless old lady" whose quiet gathering of evidence points to a massive web of corruption, stretching from local Provincetown officials all the way to the Statehouse in Boston and beyond.
Mirabile truly shines in his world-building, bringing the quirky, insular town at the tip of the Cape to life through the eyes of his fish-out-of-water protagonist, a former Colorado cowboy adjusting to East Coast seashore life and his blossoming romance with local Boston Brahmin beauty Wren Bradford.
A phenomenal follow-up to a fantastic debut!
Newly appointed Chief of Police Silas Lopez and his young Provincetown team have barely caught their breath when a beloved local widow is found dead under mysterious circumstances. Connected to the department through Silas’s romantic interest, the victim initially appears to have died of natural causes. But when the scene is exposed as a clumsily disguised murder, Silas uncovers a trail of clues left by an unexpectedly dangerous "harmless old lady" whose quiet gathering of evidence points to a massive web of corruption, stretching from local Provincetown officials all the way to the Statehouse in Boston and beyond.
Mirabile truly shines in his world-building, bringing the quirky, insular town at the tip of the Cape to life through the eyes of his fish-out-of-water protagonist, a former Colorado cowboy adjusting to East Coast seashore life and his blossoming romance with local Boston Brahmin beauty Wren Bradford.
A phenomenal follow-up to a fantastic debut!
September 15, 2026
The Holdfast is a well-written mystery wherein an elderly woman is found deceased in her home. At first, things appear cut and dry, but when Silas starts to look at the scene and notes little things that don't seem to add up, the case starts to take an entirely different direction.
Silas is still a bit of a fish out of water trying to fit in to the community he is beginning to call home, and it's fun watching him adjust to this role and his new home and the people around him in real time. The Silas Lopez mystery series also delves deeply into the procedures of police work and investigations, which is fun and fascinating. The characters are deep and Mirabile takes the time to show us the relationships and lifestyles of the characters, instead of just pushing along the narrative. He's building a world that you want to be immersed in with each book in the series, and I'm here for it! The story is involved but moves at a good pace, keeps your attention and holds it through the conclusion. Looking forward to continuing this series!
Silas is still a bit of a fish out of water trying to fit in to the community he is beginning to call home, and it's fun watching him adjust to this role and his new home and the people around him in real time. The Silas Lopez mystery series also delves deeply into the procedures of police work and investigations, which is fun and fascinating. The characters are deep and Mirabile takes the time to show us the relationships and lifestyles of the characters, instead of just pushing along the narrative. He's building a world that you want to be immersed in with each book in the series, and I'm here for it! The story is involved but moves at a good pace, keeps your attention and holds it through the conclusion. Looking forward to continuing this series!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a joy - I was so glad to spend time with my buddies Silas and Wren and Bandit again! This next entry in the Silas Lopez series unfolds against a change of season, a new but no less beautiful backdrop for the trio as they pursue justice for a very local crime. It was very satisfying to see Silas and Wren struggle but persevere in the face of Silas’s limited emotional repertoire - not to mention Wren’s starchy family. And whatever gaps Silas may have in the romantic department, his EQ is on full display as he flexes his mentorship muscles to help his team grow, and the tangled web of crime they unearth together is all too plausible for anyone who knows and treasures an overly popular location. As someone who loved The Washashore, I was relieved to see the author has plenty of story left to tell. Now I can’t wait for the next installment: as Silas would say, daylight’s burnin’, no time to waste!
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September 15, 2026Holdfast is a treasure - a rising thriller starting with what appears as a routine elderly death and ending with a complex effort by the book's aw-shucks hero working though legal and sleuthing issues far more numerous than a reader might have guessed in order to prove a theory that this was much more than a routine death. Starting a bit slowly, the book gains speed as I increasingly dedicated more time to read out of intense interest stage by stage. The author informs us of each of the legal roadblocks to submission of the evidence as the hero finds ways to overcome these one by one. As a reader of suspense novels, I learned new facts about police work, evidence, and more. Along the way, our hero, as police chief, does a magnificent job of teaching his police department staff lessons about each step in solving crimes, giving the reader an unusual set of these lessons that translate to leadership in business. And yes, the hero gets the girl. Highly recommended.
Review of advance copy
The Holdfast, like The Washashore, is a first rate police procedural. The characters - Silas and Wren (and Bandit the dog!) are engaging and fun to spend time with. In addition to a crime to solve, there’s humor, romance, and a loving depiction of the Outer Cape. The writing really pulled me in too - it’s atmospheric/literary. There are deep issues touched on as well - like what happens when a place that was a vibrant fishing community grows into a tourist destination and then attracts serious money and development. As someone who has been coming to Provincetown since the late 60s, this is a real concern. Silas’s answer is to do his part to solve the crime, mentor his team, and make sure that everyone counts. It is truly a pleasure to read such a beautifully written and uplifting series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Holdfast is the second installment in the Silas Lopez series, and it is every bit as compelling as The Washashore. Mirabile ties together an expertly paced mystery with a protagonist of uncommon decency and sly wit. His lyrical descriptions of Cape Cod and its singular Provincetown community transport the reader straight to the coast.
Beyond the plot, the story is enriched by the author’s eclectic expertise. Whether he is detailing native birds, photography techniques, dog behavior, or modern tech, the writing is so effortlessly informative that you find yourself learning a little bit about everything without ever losing the rhythm of the story.
This is a series whose characters linger long after the final page. Like Ted Lasso, Silas Lopez is the hero you never knew you needed.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Good fun and a really well-written read. The Holdfast (like its predecessor book "The Washashore") is a fun crime-solver popcorn mystery centered on a big, likable main character - Silas Lopez might just make you want to be a better man :-).
Silas rolls into Provincetown, MA as a police chief with cheesy-western swagger that has no business or reference in a New England beach town, and yet somehow he/it works. He's eager to please, often deeply corny, and yet endearing as he wins over the town while running down clues and police bureaucracy.
Great pacing with no slogging. The Provincetown setting is remarkably vivid. It doesn't take itself too seriously. The Holdfast is high quality brain candy, and I mean that as the highest compliment. Looking forward to the next one!
Silas rolls into Provincetown, MA as a police chief with cheesy-western swagger that has no business or reference in a New England beach town, and yet somehow he/it works. He's eager to please, often deeply corny, and yet endearing as he wins over the town while running down clues and police bureaucracy.
Great pacing with no slogging. The Provincetown setting is remarkably vivid. It doesn't take itself too seriously. The Holdfast is high quality brain candy, and I mean that as the highest compliment. Looking forward to the next one!
Review of advance copy
This was very intense at times and great action and emotions galore from the main
characters Silas and Wren. There was an evil secret in this small town, and the Chief, Silas is the one to figure it out with his side kick honey, Wren , to help him. He's new to town and trying to establish trust and loyalty with the town's people after the mistakes/laziness of the last chief!!! Set up to look like a death from old age, bur its was murder, according to those who knew this sharp old lady. It's suspenseful and exciting to follow along where the chief becomes a target and a victim, but that doesn't stop our intrepid chief. A fantastic read. What an ending!! Waiting for more.
I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest review.
characters Silas and Wren. There was an evil secret in this small town, and the Chief, Silas is the one to figure it out with his side kick honey, Wren , to help him. He's new to town and trying to establish trust and loyalty with the town's people after the mistakes/laziness of the last chief!!! Set up to look like a death from old age, bur its was murder, according to those who knew this sharp old lady. It's suspenseful and exciting to follow along where the chief becomes a target and a victim, but that doesn't stop our intrepid chief. A fantastic read. What an ending!! Waiting for more.
I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed, The Washashore, Crhistopher Mirabile's first novel. I am a fan of Silas Lopez and Wren Bradford. The Holdfast breathes more life into these characters. They are realistic and very likable. In The Holdfast Silas, as the police chief, develops the young police force into an effective group with his mentorship and makes them human with an understanding of people's foibles. The plot of real estate greed gone bad is very viable in a town landlocked by the sea and the National Seashore. The slower pace to prove the crime feels accurate given the nature of the crime and complexities of the motive. As a year rounder in Ptown it was a joy to read since he is able to convey the true feeling for the town and its atmosphere. I can’t wait to read his next novel in the series!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was eager to continue following Silas' journey in Provincetown after devouring Christopher Mirabile's first book, "The Washashore". The Holdfast continues all of the things I loved about The Washashore - rich character development, a strong sense of place, and a plot which is intriguing without getting unnecessarily complicated, violent, or strung out. I enjoyed seeing the characters come further to life and deepen their relationships with each other, with their city, and with their vocations. Christopher brings the characters, and the settings in which they live and work, vividly to life!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the second mystery featuring Silas Lopez, chief of police of a fictionalized Provincetown, MA. Silas is a strong, memorable character, an introvert growing into new roles as the leader of a small-town police force and the love interest of Wren. The Cape Cod setting is drawn with affection and attention to detail. In this installment, Silas and his team investigate the suspicious death of an elderly woman. The Holdfast is well worth a look for anyone who enjoys police procedurals with strong characterization and three-dimensional settings. But read The Washashore first! Highly recommended!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed the first book in this series, The Washashore, but I absolutely LOVED The Holdfast! The case that Silas had to solve in this book grabbed me right away and I really enjoyed how Silas and his team were able to wrap it all together. The relationship between Silas and Wren is evolving and at one point I had to stop because I was shocked about something that was revealed regarding their relationship. I am really enjoying this series and I am looking forward to the next book as I want to know what happens next within this small seaside town and all of its characters. Read the books and find out for yourself what I mean!
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September 9, 2026ADVANCE COPY
I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of "The Holdfast" just before my vacation and it did not disappoint! Following on from "The Washashore" the familiar characters were seamlessly built out and it felt like you were dropping back in on old friends.
The plot was engaging and knitted together and formed a great stage onto which the characters grew and developed before our very eyes. I will confess to binging through this and being very anti social for a day or two on vacation.
Let's be having you #3 ... I can't wait
I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of "The Holdfast" just before my vacation and it did not disappoint! Following on from "The Washashore" the familiar characters were seamlessly built out and it felt like you were dropping back in on old friends.
The plot was engaging and knitted together and formed a great stage onto which the characters grew and developed before our very eyes. I will confess to binging through this and being very anti social for a day or two on vacation.
Let's be having you #3 ... I can't wait
September 15, 2026
This is the second book in the series, and sometimes that can mean disappointment, but this book is even more fun, as well as more subtle, than the first. Really loved it, a strong story line and interesting, meaningful characters. I could really feel the fall setting out by the ocean as the story developed, and feel the frustration of the main characters as the challenges they faced grew more difficult to sort and figure out. I recommend this if you are looking for something new and interesting, with mixing cultures and a beautiful/unusual setting.
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