Review: Keep Your Family Close (Detective Honeywell Mystery #2) by Annette Dashofy

Print Length: 392 pages

Publisher: Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter (December 8, 2023)

From Goodreads.com: When a badly decomposed body is found in the basement of an abandoned warehouse, Erie police detective, Matthias Honeywell, is called in to investigate. Meanwhile, freelance photographer Emma Anderson is desperately trying to find her drug-addicted sister, Nell. Then a devastating piece of evidence found at Detective Honeywell’s crime scene brings her world crashing down, a driver’s license belonging to her missing sister. In need of her assistance, Matthias asks Emma to help with the case, hoping to solve the mysterious disappearance of Nell Anderson. But in doing so, will the investigation uncover more questions than answers?

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My Rating: 3 stars out of 5

To address something I have seen mentioned in other reviews, yes this is the second book in a series. And yes, there are mentions of people and events that took place in the prior novel (at least I am assuming they did as I did not read the first book). However, that did not make me feel confused at any time while reading this one as this seemed to be it's own stand-alone story. I will say, it did make the relationship between Matthias and Emma seem a bit rushed just because coming into this story now I missed the build-up that I assume happened prior to this. 

However, I did have a few other issues with this story, the main one being that I really never felt any real sense of urgency whatsoever. Not when Emma gets an unexpected phone call that leaves her reeling. Not when the police starting finding new leads (even if they were themselves excited about it).  Not even during the final "showdown" with the person responsible. It just felt very lackluster. Don't get me wrong, this one did keep me reading, but more so because I was waiting for that "moment" that made me eager for what came next. Unfortunately, for me, this story never quite got there. 

That being said, what saved this story from being a 2 star read, was the surprise twist at the end. I will admit that I am a sucker for a good (believable) twist, and this one caught me completely off-guard. I would probably pick up the next in the series (if there is a next) just to see what happens and whether or not I feel that urgency that I look for when reading a thriller/suspense novel. 

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.