Review: A Madness of Sunshine by Nalini Singh

Title: A Madness of Sunshine by Nalini Singh
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 353 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh welcomes you to a remote town on the edge of the world where even the blinding brightness of the sun can’t mask the darkness that lies deep within a killer.…

On the rugged West Coast of New Zealand, Golden Cove is more than just a town where people live. The adults are more than neighbors; the children, more than schoolmates.

That is until one fateful summer—and several vanished bodies—shatters the trust holding Golden Cove together. All that’s left are whispers behind closed doors, broken friendships, and a silent agreement to not look back. But they can’t run from the past forever.

Eight years later, a beautiful young woman disappears without a trace, and the residents of Golden Cove wonder if their home shelters something far more dangerous than an unforgiving landscape.

It’s not long before the dark past collides with the haunting present and deadly secrets come to light.

Review:

A Madness of Sunshine by Nalini Singh is an atmospheric mystery that is absolutely spellbinding.

Anahera “Ana” Spencer-Ashby  returns to her isolated hometown on the coast of New Zealand following her husband’s death.  Troubled by childhood memories, she uneasily settles into the cabin she shared with her mom who died several years earlier.   Ana soon reconnects with best friend, Josie Taufa, Nikau “Nik” Martin and Vincent Baker.  She also meets newcomer, Detective Will Gallagher, the town’s lone police officer.

Immediately after her arrival, Ana and the rest of the town are devastated when Miriama “Miri” goes missing. Most of the residents turn out to search for the missing young woman, but she has vanished into thin air. With eerie similarities to the still unsolved cases of three hikers who disappeared years earlier, Will works around the clock to try to locate Miri and determine whether her case is linked to the hikers.

Ana is hardened by her life experiences and she is emotionally closed off. She is holding back a lot of grief and anger over her late husband’s death and her abusive childhood.  Ana holds her secrets close and not even her dear friend Josie knows much about Ana’s life in England. Ana is just as shaken as the rest of the town when Miri vanishes and she reluctantly joins forces with Will in order to find the young woman.

Will is also battered and tormented by his past. His last case before transferring to Golden Cove almost ended his career and he remains haunted by how it ended. Will takes his job seriously and despite his outsider status, he is well-liked and respected by the townspeople. His instincts remain sharp and although  he knows that something horrible has happened to Miri, he still hopes for the best.  Will finds Ana intriguing and he is surprised by how much he likes her.  He finds her assistance invaluable as he tries to find Miri.

Gold Cove is an insular town and everyone knows everyone else’s secrets. They are also fiercely loyal to one another and they are quick to offer assistance when needed. The surrounding landscape is beautiful but harsh and unforgiving.

A Madness of Sunshine is a riveting mystery that is foreboding and full of secrets. Will and Ana are compelling, intense characters who are quite likeable. Miri is happy, beloved by everyone and looking forward to a promising future. Will and Ana are determined to figure out who would have wanted to harm such a wonderful young woman.  With stunning twists and shocking revelations, Nalini Singh brings this mesmerizing mystery to a dramatic conclusion.  I highly recommend this captivating mystery to fans of the genre.