Blue Sun by Michael R. Lane

You can find my review of the first book of this series, THE GEM CONNECTION, at my old blog. Reading THE GEM CONNECTION helped me on the pathway to creating this blog and for that I am forever grateful.

This book finds us right where we left off in terms of the main character, Private Detective C.J., and his cast of femme fatale characters. Okay, maybe they are not femme fatales by definition but they are pretty fierce to say the least. Destini, the Naomi Campbell of the PNW, is still dominating the catwalk of the police force when she isn’t busy being C.J.’s girlfriend. Renita, C.J.’s junior partner is still busy offering him indecent proposals behind Detsini’s back. It is like visiting an old, slightly dysfunctional set of friends who just so happen to have a playful love triangle going on since college. It’s fun.

One of the things I can emphatically state about this series is that it is descriptively atmospheric and one could easily feel immersed in the Pacific Northwest culture. And so there we are in this wonderful world of wide open space when *bam* someone is getting hauled off and murdered. That is my kind of staycation! Pass the fish and chips and don’t forget my malt vinegar.

Anyway, when we meet Don he is about to be in pretty bad shape. Being roughhoused in his own house by two men is something that would jar anyone out of the honeymoon phase of their marriage. Having been married for two years to his highly successful real estate partner, this is a rude awakening in an idyllic upper middle class neighborhood to say the least. We later learn that Don is many things and chief among them would be that he is pretty smart. 

He uses his last moments to send some cryptic clues to C.J. via a phone call and a text message. Don’s maid finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time when she stumbles upon the scene.

I loved the way the plot developed. In true to form style C.J. stays ahead of the game but I felt like there were some surprises that caught him off guard as well. And isn’t that human nature? Even investigation experts get surprised by the things people do in their private lives.

It was also really nice to see Renita really grow into her own. She isn’t just some pretty ornamental fixture around the office. We get to see her put in some real work and it made sense to me why she is a great compliment to C.J. Perhaps she will become a Senior partner in future books.

There is a little bit of romance in the background this time around. As a woman I feel for what Destini is going through because it feels like she is almost at a crossroads with C.J. and I can hardly wait to see how that unfolds in the coming books in this series.

And be sure to check out author Michael R. Lane’s website for more of his books and to stay up to date on any future releases. I would like to thank the author for providing me with a copy of his book in exchange for my honest review.

Definitely check out the C.J. McCavanaugh series and please let me know your thoughts in the comments section.

Happy reading everyone! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts.

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