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Bleak Town: A Hazel Moore Mystery
In 2043, flooding and rising seas have changed Seattle. But one thing stays the same for Officer Hazel murder.
As a volunteer police officer in a community banding together to survive the new world, Hazel Moore searches through the underbelly of society to find a killer. As she investigates, she keeps crossing paths with Dr. Will Harington, awakening long dormant passions she had thought were lost to her. But her heart is playing with fire as he’s out of reach — and a suspect.
It’s the most challenging case of her policing career, made even more difficult as the killer is always one step ahead of her investigation, forcing Hazel to look for betrayal from those close to her.
This killer will never be satisfied, so if Hazel can’t stop him, there’s no telling how much destruction he could do to this fragile new community.
And no telling who will be his next victim…
Bleak Town is the first book in the Hazel Moore mystery series set in a climate-changed future. If you like fast-paced, enthralling murder plots with a kick-ass female detective and a touch of romance, you’ll love Sarah Horth’s new mystery series.
Pick up Bleak Town to discover this exciting new series today!
As a volunteer police officer in a community banding together to survive the new world, Hazel Moore searches through the underbelly of society to find a killer. As she investigates, she keeps crossing paths with Dr. Will Harington, awakening long dormant passions she had thought were lost to her. But her heart is playing with fire as he’s out of reach — and a suspect.
It’s the most challenging case of her policing career, made even more difficult as the killer is always one step ahead of her investigation, forcing Hazel to look for betrayal from those close to her.
This killer will never be satisfied, so if Hazel can’t stop him, there’s no telling how much destruction he could do to this fragile new community.
And no telling who will be his next victim…
Bleak Town is the first book in the Hazel Moore mystery series set in a climate-changed future. If you like fast-paced, enthralling murder plots with a kick-ass female detective and a touch of romance, you’ll love Sarah Horth’s new mystery series.
Pick up Bleak Town to discover this exciting new series today!
355 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2022
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 12, 2023
I loved this book! It’s extremely dystopian, but that’s part of its charm. There’ve been pandemics and wars, but life will out. And so will murder. Hazel Moore is a member of her local Patrol, the replacement police force, and she is a force of nature. I love the sense of community despite the extreme adversity. Everyone contributes in multiple ways with whatever skills they have, and Hazel is a natural born detective. The murders are crazy and the murderer seems to be devolving. Will she figure it out before it’s too late? Read this book and find out.
January 13, 2023
Set in Seattle in 2043, the world has had a lot of changes. Hazel is in charge of solving the murder of Zonta, Lego’s best friend. And then another murder takes place, and Hazel wonders how the killer is staying one step ahead of her. This is Bleak Town by Sarah Horth.
Hazel is an interesting character with many different facets. As she fights feelings for one of the suspects, she searches the seedy part of town trying to find a killer. The beginning will grab the readers attention, but the story does drag a bit here and there as it continues. Having said that, it will still a good detective novel and mystery, and I would read more by this author.
My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions expressed are
my own.
Hazel is an interesting character with many different facets. As she fights feelings for one of the suspects, she searches the seedy part of town trying to find a killer. The beginning will grab the readers attention, but the story does drag a bit here and there as it continues. Having said that, it will still a good detective novel and mystery, and I would read more by this author.
My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions expressed are
my own.
January 8, 2023
Review of eBook
Twenty years in the future, floods and rising seas have changed Seattle. An influenza pandemic in the 2030s, followed by a cholera outbreak as the water structure broke down, claimed many and those who remained still faced disaster after disaster. Survival is difficult, electrical power is sporadic. Small communities of people band together; computers and the internet are things of the past.
Hazel Moore, a Ravenna Patrol volunteer police officer, searches for a killer. The murdered man, Zonta, lies in the bathtub, a plastic bag over his head. There’s a cord tied around his neck, tape wraps around his legs and ankles. Aided by Tommy Shortt, a once-upon-a-time San Francisco Police Department detective, Hazel begins her investigation.
And then there’s another murder. With a killer that always seems to be a step ahead of her, can Hazel find the answers and track down the murderer before there’s another victim?
=========
Set in a not-too-distant future, “Bleak Town” is the first book in the author’s new Hazel Moore Mystery series. Well-drawn, complex characters and a strong sense of place anchor the narrative; the intriguing plot pulls the reader into the telling of the tale from the outset. The climate-challenged future takes on the role of a character with its challenges, its absence of modern conveniences, and its new realities. Readers are likely to find Hazel’s world unsettling, but this aspect of the narrative ties the story to the reader’s reality.
The plot twists in unexpected directions as Hazel investigates the murders; the pace of Hazel’s investigation keeps the story moving and the suspense building. The story reaches a satisfactory denouement but leaves room for Hazel’s story to continue.
Highly recommended.
Twenty years in the future, floods and rising seas have changed Seattle. An influenza pandemic in the 2030s, followed by a cholera outbreak as the water structure broke down, claimed many and those who remained still faced disaster after disaster. Survival is difficult, electrical power is sporadic. Small communities of people band together; computers and the internet are things of the past.
Hazel Moore, a Ravenna Patrol volunteer police officer, searches for a killer. The murdered man, Zonta, lies in the bathtub, a plastic bag over his head. There’s a cord tied around his neck, tape wraps around his legs and ankles. Aided by Tommy Shortt, a once-upon-a-time San Francisco Police Department detective, Hazel begins her investigation.
And then there’s another murder. With a killer that always seems to be a step ahead of her, can Hazel find the answers and track down the murderer before there’s another victim?
=========
Set in a not-too-distant future, “Bleak Town” is the first book in the author’s new Hazel Moore Mystery series. Well-drawn, complex characters and a strong sense of place anchor the narrative; the intriguing plot pulls the reader into the telling of the tale from the outset. The climate-challenged future takes on the role of a character with its challenges, its absence of modern conveniences, and its new realities. Readers are likely to find Hazel’s world unsettling, but this aspect of the narrative ties the story to the reader’s reality.
The plot twists in unexpected directions as Hazel investigates the murders; the pace of Hazel’s investigation keeps the story moving and the suspense building. The story reaches a satisfactory denouement but leaves room for Hazel’s story to continue.
Highly recommended.
January 20, 2023
A solid murder mystery that is gritty and realistic, but not without hope. An entertaining read and a good introduction to a new series. The world-building and near future setting are superb, the supporting characters are interesting, the story pace is fast but steady. The female lead is likeable but the love interest seemed off a bit. Overall, a promising start. Beautiful cover art!
LibraryThing Early Reviewer
LibraryThing Early Reviewer
November 6, 2023
Set in Seattle in 2043, the world has changed a lot. Hazel is a volunteer police officer and she has to find a killer. I thought I wouldn't like the story because it is rather dystopian but I got sucked into the story immediately. I just kept reading. It is a nice starter for the series.
I received a free advance review copy and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review.
I received a free advance review copy and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review.
December 18, 2025
An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my thoughts in any way.
Bleak Town is the first book in the Hazel Moore Mystery series. It takes place twenty years in the future, after climate change and pandemics have taken their toll on the world. The author put a lot of effort into imagining what such a future would look like. It's grim and gritty and made even more so after several grizzly murders, which Hazel Moore is put in charge of investigating. I enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading the next ones.
Bleak Town is the first book in the Hazel Moore Mystery series. It takes place twenty years in the future, after climate change and pandemics have taken their toll on the world. The author put a lot of effort into imagining what such a future would look like. It's grim and gritty and made even more so after several grizzly murders, which Hazel Moore is put in charge of investigating. I enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading the next ones.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews