Melinda Leigh's latest mystery kicks off a new series set in upstate New York, where many of her novels take place. In YOU CAN TELL ME, there are some characters from her Morgan Dane series. But if, like me, you haven't read those books, don't worry. You won't feel lost at all. 

Olivia Cruz is a true-crime writer who is about to be thrust into the middle of an all-too-true crime. Her close friend, Zoe March, is a true-crime podcaster who plans to interview her on the third anniversary of her very traumatic kidnapping, which almost resulted in her death. Olivia still has nightmares about it and is hoping that by sharing the details, she will free herself of some of the horrors. But Zoe doesn't show up for the interview.

"There are twists and turns, drugs and murder and dead bodies, natural disasters and unnatural parents, and an abandoned dog. It all makes for a wild ride."

Olivia has known Zoe for 15 years, and while Zoe's personal life might be a bit chaotic and messy, she's meticulous about work. There's no good reason why Zoe would not be there, or at least let Olivia know she was canceling. When Olivia tracks down Zoe's phone, which is no easy task, she sees that the last text from an unknown number was one word: “run.”

But what is Zoe running from? In order to answer that question, Olivia must look into Zoe's past. She has to figure out what Zoe has shared with her that was true and what was not. At the same time, she is helping her niece, Nicki, who worked with Zoe and might have some information. Zoe met someone she had contact with on an internet dating site and was drugged. Luckily, she got a text off to Olivia before she lost consciousness, but she ended up in the hospital. Is that incident connected to her disappearance? 

Also helping with the investigation is Lincoln Sharp, a private investigator and Olivia's boyfriend. She's had problems with commitment in the past, but that might change in this novel. Sharp is one of the characters who appeared in Leigh's prior series, and readers of it will be happy to see him again.

To save Zoe, Olivia must work to uncover the secrets that Zoe tried to keep buried for so long. She wonders why her friend would hide things from her. Did she run because someone is after her? If so, will Olivia be able to find her before the danger harms her?

There are twists and turns, drugs and murder and dead bodies, natural disasters and unnatural parents, and an abandoned dog. It all makes for a wild ride. But Olivia's strong personality and determination make her an excellent protagonist, and Leigh describes her as “bold, resourceful and wicked smart.”

While I'd like to go back and read the Morgan Dane books, Leigh's capable writing and brilliant detailing of enough of Olivia's traumatic experience satisfy our need to know exactly what happened. She is an extremely versatile writer, and her depiction of the characters and their dialogue ring true. We like Olivia, Lincoln and Nicki, and we want to follow their adventures --- wherever they may lead.