In MIST AND MALICE, the second entry in Rachel Howzell Hall's exciting Haven Thriller series, the action kicks off where the first book ends. For those who haven't read FOG AND FURY, it could be confusing. So definitely start with the opening installment because a lot of the backstory of the characters is delineated there.

Sonny Rush, formerly of the LAPD, has moved to the upscale coastal touristy town of Haven in northern California to work for her godfather, Ivan, and be with her fiancé, Cooper. She and her mother, Val, rented a cottage there, and in FOG AND FURY, we learned that Val has dementia. Val doesn't necessarily agree that she has a problem, which leads to some of the tension in the novel as she wants her independence. But because of Sonny's investigations, both mother and daughter are in danger, dementia notwithstanding.

"This solid, fast-moving series has enough twists and turns to keep the suspense flowing and enough mysteries remaining to save for the next installment."

That danger becomes more apparent as Sonny continues to investigate Honor Butler's disappearance. Honor had gone missing in the first book but showed up on Sonny's doorstep at the end of the story. Sonny also has a new client, Araceli Rivas, whose husband, Emiliano, disappeared a few months ago. The day after Araceli hires Sonny, Emiliano’s body is found in the woods next to Sonny's house. He was undocumented, and Araceli is determined to figure out who killed him and where he had been all this time.

As Sonny investigates Emiliano's murder, Honor's disappearance (even though Honor is now home), the missing goldendoodle that was not recovered in FOG AND FURY, and how the myriad characters she meets might be connected, she finds her own safety at risk.

There is also an issue with the local police department. Sonny thinks that lead investigator Brady Kwon is attractive. Since she found out that Cooper was not divorced, she has broken ties with him. But she still loves him, which presents a problem. As she and Kwon seem to be working to solve some of the crimes, she also realizes that he might not be trustworthy.

So Sonny basically is on her own. On her own to deal with her mother's failing memory and intransigence in coming to terms with it. On her own to solve the mystery regarding Emiliano's death. On her own to get Cooper back his dog, and since his daughter died in the first novel and his wife was arrested for a murder, he's alone and in need of canine companionship. Ivan, who was her father's best friend and worked with him at the LAPD, isn't there for her.

In fact, there are inconsistencies in Val’s finances that are coming to light. Sonny has questions and needs to get the answers before her mother is incapable of remembering the facts. What she finds out shocks her to her core and causes her to question her whole life, including her departure from the LAPD and her move to Haven. 

Sonny is a strong female protagonist who is tough while at the same time ready to have some romance in her life. She's likable and far from perfect. This makes us want her to succeed, because her motives are always the best. There is plenty of humor to go along with the tension, and Sonny's commentary about Haven is sharp and clever. There's the rich side of town along the ocean and the working class side on the east. 

This solid, fast-moving series has enough twists and turns to keep the suspense flowing and enough mysteries remaining to save for the next installment.