Sunrise

Leigh Ann Warren Mystery #1

by Chassie West

Big-city cop Leigh Ann Warren is coming back to Sunrise, North Carolina, to escape the pressures of the job -- and her guilt over nearly causing the death of her partner Duck. But things have changed here since she was a girl. Tensions over plans to develop hallowed ground for commercial purposes are tearing a once close-knit community to pieces.Leigh Ann hoped to stay neutral, but a decades-old murder, newly unearthed, is dragging her down into a whirlpool of fear and small-town secrets. And a killer still lurking in the shadows of Sunrise is about to strike again -- this time, too close to home.

Genres: Mystery

336 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1994

About the author

Aka Chassie L. West.

Chassie began her writing career in the young adult genre, her books running the gamut from teen romances and adventures to mysteries, including two of the updated Nancy Drew Files. Sixteen books later, a good many of which also appeared in foreign language editions, she undertook a new challenge: the adult market. The results were three romantic suspense novels for Silhouette Intimate Moments, written as Joyce McGill: THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS and UNFORGIVABLE made the Waldenbooks Bestsellers List. UNFORGIVABLE, a romantic suspense, was Silhouette's first adult romance featuring African American protagonists. Other milestones were the Romantic Times 1989-1990 Lifetime Achievement Award for New Series Romantic Mystery Author and the Romantic Times 1990-91 Career Achievement Certificate of Excellence for Series Romantic Fantasy. Chassie L. West lives in Maryland.

Reviews

[Pr Latta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Leigh Ann Warren -- she's smart, spunky, and funny without being silly. The sense of place (NC) is strong and the secondary theme of changes in race relations in a small town. The mystery itself is original. This is a good teen read - and, dare I say it? The series is so entertaining I'd like to see Leigh Ann (and Duck) starring in a television show.

[Ilia Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to a new mystery series! I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of the author or series before. I immediately bought the rest of the books in the series. Leigh Ann Warren is a great MC and the book is set in a small town with interesting secondary characters and murder mystery that will keep you guessing. I highly recommend checking this one out.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first in a 5-book (too short) series about a woman African-American cop, set in 1990s DC (when it was written). Very well done, intertwining the mystery and the detective’s personal life. This series should be better known.

[Noni Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one. I am surprised this author and this series are not better known.

[Sandra The Old Woman in a Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

How did I miss this series back in the '90s when it came out? I just ordered the next three (there are only 4 books in the series) as used books. Only one of the series is available in Kindle format - you have to buy these used.
Sunrise is a wonderful mystery with characters I like and want to see developed a great North Carolina setting, and a twisty plot that I did not figure out. Everything a reader wants in a mystery. Reading some parts I was brought right back to the '90s and before. I don't think a contemporary author would have the knowledge to write, for instance, a little bit about deciphering typewriter fonts.

Chassie West writes a great mystery and is an excellent Black author. Two books in this series were nominated for both Anthony and Edgar awards- get more of her books out there and available!

[Suzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this author.

[Jack Heath]

Synopsis: big-city cop Leigh Ann Warren is coming back to North Carolina to escape the pressures of the job, but an old murder drags her down.

[Jamee Pritchard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sunrise is a solid detective story full of suspense and unexpected twists. It's perfect for readers looking for mystery novels with Black female protagonists.

[Tomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good mystery - lots of twists and turns.

[Esperanza Cintrón · Rating 3 out of 5]

West is a skilled writer and her work has accessible well-developed characters. I was surprised and very pleased when I stumbled upon this writer. I thought I'd discovered and read all of the mysteries written by Black women. It's a particular interest of mine. "Sunrise" was the first of her works that I read. The furloughed DC cop, Leigh Ann Warren, seeking refuge in her small hometown pulled me right in and the case itself, a garbage bag full of old white bones stashed in a Black cemetery, was original. Overall, I like her work and am reading another of her novels, but as a Black woman I find it sometimes difficult to deal with her protagonist's obsession with adherence to the "law", a factor that oftentimes contradicts other more overriding allegiances such as the well-being of friends, family and common sense. Also, there are several characters in this novel and that abundance can be confusing and cause the plot to ramble and feel somewhat overwrought. However, the West mysteries are worth reading.
A prolific writer, she has apparently written romance and children's titles under the names Joyce McGill and Tracey West, respectively.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. First book that I read of hers, and my copy is getting shabby. Talk about plots turns and twists. The main character is very human, but very smart. I love, love her character development and how you can care about the main character by the second chapter.

[Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chassie West creates a story you won't forget set in the Smoky Moutains with simmering undercurrents, murders and real emotions that keep you riveted. The charaters are so real you feel you know them and hate having the book end. This is a book that will stand the test of time.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid 3.5. I like Chassie's writing style and the character Leigh Ann as well. I plan on finishing this 4 part series. Looking forward to the 2nd book as i've heard there is a nice love story in it.

So far this (book 1) has the best mystery plot in the series