Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones Series: Sunshine Vicram #1
Published by St. Martin's Press on April 7, 2020
Genres: Romance, Mystery
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Del Sol, New Mexico is known for three things: its fry-an-egg-on-the-cement summers, its strong cups of coffee—and a nationwide manhunt? Del Sol native Sunshine Vicram has returned to town as the elected sheriff—an election her adorably meddlesome parents entered her in—and she expects her biggest crime wave to involve an elderly flasher named Doug. But a teenage girl is missing, a kidnapper is on the loose, and all of it's reminding Sunny why she left Del Sol in the first place. Add to that trouble at her daughter’s new school and a kidnapped prized rooster named Puff Daddy, and Sunshine has her hands full.
Enter sexy almost-old-flame Levi Ravinder and a hunky US Marshall, both elevens on a scale of one to blazing inferno, and the normally savvy sheriff is quickly in over her head. Now it’s up to Sunshine to juggle a few good hunky men, a not-so-nice kidnapping miscreant, and Doug the ever-pesky flasher. And they said coming home would be drama-free.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this new Sunshine Vicram series from Darynda Jones. Sunshine is the new sheriff in the town where she grew up and her parents live. She has been away for about 14 years. She is an experienced law enforcement officer and I like that. Her caring and commitment to her work is excellent. Her first day on the job is crazy with things happening.
A Bad Day for Sunshine has many traits we have come to expect from this author. The main character, Sunshine loves coffee and sexy men. She’s a hot blond woman. The story is told from a case viewpoint. It is set in New Mexico. There is a snarky sense of humor from the quirky characters to the delicious chapter titles.
Deputy Salazar responded to a report of a woman stopping at mailboxes and going through residents’ mail. Upon further investigation, it was the mail carrier. ~ Del Sol police blotter
There are some really amazing characters. I like Sunshine’s parents, Levi, the coffee shop dudes, and Jimmy. Cruz was fantastic and I’ll be happy to see more of him. We also get more of Sunshine’s background in some (sort of) flashback scenes or memories.
I didn’t like the way Sunshine had such a sexual view of almost all men; it was a little over-the-top. Sunshine’s daughter is the other main point of view for some of the chapters. I was uncomfortable with how much she involved herself in the cases as she is only fourteen, and that her mother let her do some of it.
I really enjoyed the mystery and the cases. The action was exciting. There’s easily more I want to know and an ongoing story arc I will want to follow. After this great start, I’ll definitely want to read more in this mystery series.
About Darynda Jones
NYTimes and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious Golden Heart®, a Rebecca, two Hold Medallions, a RITA ®, and a Daphne du Maurier, and she has received stellar reviews from dozens of publications including starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and the Library Journal. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, annoying man and beast alike, and she is ever so grateful for the opportunity to carry on that tradition. She currently has two series with St. Martin’s Press: The Charley Davidson Series and the Darklight Trilogy. She lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband of almost 30 years and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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I’ve been on the fence about this one but I really saw some things I might like in your comments. Excellent review, Anne?
Thanks I enjoyed the humor and the mystery / police procedures plus some great characters.
I think I’d enjoy this one. A New author me too. And I really like the title and cover.
She also writes the UF series of Charley Davidson which is also humorous and lots of quirky characters.
Hmm, not keen on the sexualizing of the men but good to be forewarned. I keep seeing this one around and thinking I ought to try it. Maybe the library has it.
I did enjoy the story overall. It won’t be released until 4/7 so you probably can’t get it until after that date.
I never did finish her Charley Davidson series. I had fun with a lot of the books, but Charley was so reckless at times it really bugged me. I do want to go back and find out how it all turned out. Maybe I’ll just read the last book. I’ll have to see. Glad to hear this series is off to a positive start. Yeah, that would be a little concerning allowing a 14 yr old to participate in investigations. Fab review, Anne! 🙂
Thanks Rachel. You will have to try it and see how you like it. It’s a different genre without paranormal elements.
Yes I had my issues with Charley too. I did listen all the way until the end. I loved many of the characters and the humor, the story was just weird though.
I had a good time with this one, too.
It certainly was easy and fun to read.
I really liked the Charley Davidson books I’ve read and this sounds like while it may have had a few flaws, it is a good setup for a new series. After reading your review, I can be more reasonable with my expectations.
It’s a fun book. It’s very different than Charley because no paranormal. It’s always different for a first book until things settle into the series.
I still need to finish Charley Davidson series. But I’m really excited to get to this new series as well.
It’s a different genre and I think I might like it even better in the end.
I’m listening right now, so I skipped the review, but wanted to share it on Twitter. I’ll discuss once I am done!
OK I hope you enjoy it as I did!
Glad you had such a fun time with this one and love seeing such great depth to characters you see form.
I look forward to more since this is just the first book. That’s one of the best things about the series, is the long-term development of the characters.
I have not read this author before but I started this book just last night. So far so good! I am glad to see that you ended up enjoying it.
I hope you enjoy it. It has her typical humor and I love that!