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The Solar Deception: A Digger Doyle Mystery
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 6, 2026
About the author
Rosalie Rayburn
9 books51 followersRosalie Rayburn is a journalist and author who has lived in many countries including the USA, UK, Ireland, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Portugal. She earned a bachelors’s degree in Sociology from Trinity College Dublin and started her newspaper career freelancing for the Irish Times and Irish Independent. Travels took her to Norway where she was news editor for the English language Saga Weekly and contributed to the trade magazine Norwegian Oil Review. Returning to the US, she spent 18 years as a staff writer for the Albuquerque Journal; during which she covered business, local government, energy and telecommunications.
She had six short stories broadcast by Radio Telefis Eireann in Ireland, authored a business guidebook “Living and Working in Saudi Arabia” published by How To Books Ltd., UK, and translated the Norwegian memoir “Norsemen Follow the Trail” published by Dreyer Bok, Stavanger, Norway.
Now retired, Rayburn divides her time between the US and Portugal where she contributes to the lifestyle magazine “Portugal Living” and writes a blog about relocating to and living in Portugal.
She had six short stories broadcast by Radio Telefis Eireann in Ireland, authored a business guidebook “Living and Working in Saudi Arabia” published by How To Books Ltd., UK, and translated the Norwegian memoir “Norsemen Follow the Trail” published by Dreyer Bok, Stavanger, Norway.
Now retired, Rayburn divides her time between the US and Portugal where she contributes to the lifestyle magazine “Portugal Living” and writes a blog about relocating to and living in Portugal.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 25, 2026
Captivating storyline and very well written. The author developed the characters so they were all believable and relatable. I finished the book in 3 days….it was the type of book that was hard to put down. The plot was interesting and well designed. I enjoyed learning a bit about life in the southwest and some information about the native American tribes in that area. I have read the first book in the series and am looking forward to reading another one. I highly recommend reading this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 7, 2026
Rosalie Rayburn delivers an engaging mystery in The Solar Deception, the latest installment featuring journalist Elizabeth “Digger” Doyle. Set largely in New Mexico, the novel combines investigative intrigue, political maneuvering, romance, and the colorful personalities of Digger’s family and friends.
The story begins with Digger becoming involved in what appears to be a questionable solar-energy deal. As she digs deeper, she discovers that the situation is far more complicated than it first appears, involving money, revenge, political ambitions, and people who are not necessarily what they seem. Digger’s background as a journalist makes her a natural investigator, and following her as she pieces together the truth provides much of the book’s suspense.
One of the novel’s strengths is its sense of place. Rayburn brings New Mexico vividly to life, from Santa Fe and its surrounding landscapes to the warmth and character of Digger’s family home. The supporting characters also add considerable personality, particularly Maria and Abuela, whose presence gives the story an emotional dimension beyond the central mystery.
The novel also explores the consequences of being manipulated by people who have their own hidden agendas. Digger is not simply trying to solve a mystery; she must also come to terms with the possibility that her own good intentions have been used to advance someone else’s plan. That gives the story an interesting emotional layer.
The mystery unfolds through a substantial cast of characters and several interconnected storylines, so readers need to pay attention as the pieces gradually come together. The combination of the investigation, political intrigue, and Digger’s personal life keeps the story moving and gives the novel more depth than a straightforward crime mystery.
Fans of investigative mysteries, newspaper journalists, political intrigue, and New Mexico settings should find plenty to enjoy here. The Solar Deception works both as a mystery and as a character-driven story about relationships, loyalty, ambition, and discovering the truth behind appearances.
A satisfying mystery with an engaging heroine, strong New Mexico atmosphere, and plenty of twists along the way.
The story begins with Digger becoming involved in what appears to be a questionable solar-energy deal. As she digs deeper, she discovers that the situation is far more complicated than it first appears, involving money, revenge, political ambitions, and people who are not necessarily what they seem. Digger’s background as a journalist makes her a natural investigator, and following her as she pieces together the truth provides much of the book’s suspense.
One of the novel’s strengths is its sense of place. Rayburn brings New Mexico vividly to life, from Santa Fe and its surrounding landscapes to the warmth and character of Digger’s family home. The supporting characters also add considerable personality, particularly Maria and Abuela, whose presence gives the story an emotional dimension beyond the central mystery.
The novel also explores the consequences of being manipulated by people who have their own hidden agendas. Digger is not simply trying to solve a mystery; she must also come to terms with the possibility that her own good intentions have been used to advance someone else’s plan. That gives the story an interesting emotional layer.
The mystery unfolds through a substantial cast of characters and several interconnected storylines, so readers need to pay attention as the pieces gradually come together. The combination of the investigation, political intrigue, and Digger’s personal life keeps the story moving and gives the novel more depth than a straightforward crime mystery.
Fans of investigative mysteries, newspaper journalists, political intrigue, and New Mexico settings should find plenty to enjoy here. The Solar Deception works both as a mystery and as a character-driven story about relationships, loyalty, ambition, and discovering the truth behind appearances.
A satisfying mystery with an engaging heroine, strong New Mexico atmosphere, and plenty of twists along the way.
September 10, 2026
The Solar Deception is the kind of mystery that makes you keep reading because there is always another piece of the puzzle waiting to fall into place. What I enjoyed most was Digger Doyle herself. She has the instincts of a reporter and the determination to follow a story even when the people involved would clearly rather she stopped asking questions.
The solar project is a clever setting for a story about power and politics. What initially looks like a straightforward investigation gradually becomes something much bigger, with money, hidden motives, political revenge, and personal danger all becoming connected. I also liked the New Mexico setting, especially the contrast between the beauty of places like Chaco Canyon and the darker secrets unfolding behind the scenes.
Digger’s relationship with her wife gives the story another layer because the investigation is no longer just about uncovering a political scandal. The consequences begin reaching into her personal life, which makes the danger feel much more real.
For me, the strongest part of the book is its combination of suspense and real-world issues. It doesn’t rely only on twists; it also explores how ambition and greed can affect ordinary people. Digger is a determined, believable protagonist, and I found myself wanting to see how far she would go to uncover the truth.
Overall, this was an engaging political mystery with a strong sense of place, an interesting heroine, and enough secrets to keep me guessing. A good choice for readers who enjoy investigative mysteries where the deeper you dig, the more complicated everything becomes.
The solar project is a clever setting for a story about power and politics. What initially looks like a straightforward investigation gradually becomes something much bigger, with money, hidden motives, political revenge, and personal danger all becoming connected. I also liked the New Mexico setting, especially the contrast between the beauty of places like Chaco Canyon and the darker secrets unfolding behind the scenes.
Digger’s relationship with her wife gives the story another layer because the investigation is no longer just about uncovering a political scandal. The consequences begin reaching into her personal life, which makes the danger feel much more real.
For me, the strongest part of the book is its combination of suspense and real-world issues. It doesn’t rely only on twists; it also explores how ambition and greed can affect ordinary people. Digger is a determined, believable protagonist, and I found myself wanting to see how far she would go to uncover the truth.
Overall, this was an engaging political mystery with a strong sense of place, an interesting heroine, and enough secrets to keep me guessing. A good choice for readers who enjoy investigative mysteries where the deeper you dig, the more complicated everything becomes.
August 14, 2026
Formally known as The Sunshine Solution), The Solar Deception is book two of "A Digger Doyle Mystery". Follow Digger, no longer a reporter, as she now works for the Secretary of the Department of Cultural Affairs and now weded to Maria Ortiz. Digger is tasked by her boss to keep an eye on the dealings of a solar project but would prefer to do everything quietly. This sets off Digger's investigators nose off. Digger and Maria are living with Maria's Abuela now who has treated Digger as her granddaughter also. I really liked Abuela's character, she is full of love and grounds Digger. While Digger has a big heart she has insecurities which are based a lot from her parents death and can be obsessive with a st9ry that she is investigating. Maria is a teacher and running for state representative
She is loving and passionate about causes. Her downside is that she is quick to anger and doesn't like to be told what to do. The descriptions of New Mexico's scenery was vivid and easily set the scenes. Four of the male characters creeped me out with their thoughts/daydreams of Maria when they looked at her. I liked all three books and wondering if there will be a fourth by the way book three's hea ended. I highly recommend this whole series of mystery and intrigue.
I received an ARC copy of this book.
She is loving and passionate about causes. Her downside is that she is quick to anger and doesn't like to be told what to do. The descriptions of New Mexico's scenery was vivid and easily set the scenes. Four of the male characters creeped me out with their thoughts/daydreams of Maria when they looked at her. I liked all three books and wondering if there will be a fourth by the way book three's hea ended. I highly recommend this whole series of mystery and intrigue.
I received an ARC copy of this book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews