Former cop Dylan Fisher is now a private investigator with a reputation for being the best. But when his ex-wife and homicide detective Rose Doucette asks to meet him at a hotel, he’s surprised and confused, to say the least. Turns out she needs Dylan’s help with a murder investigation that she’s not allowed to pursue. After leaving the meeting, Dylan notices a suspicious car following Rose. He tries to warn her but is too late. Rose is gunned down and killed by the driver – who also knocks out Dylan. He comes to and contacts the authorities, but the situation doesn’t look good for Dylan. He was at the scene and his fingerprints are on the murder weapon. The police – and Rose’s widower, defense attorney Tito – are convinced Dylan did it. In order to prove his innocence, Dylan has no choice but to find the killer himself. And somehow he and Tito team up to investigate. What is Rose’s connection to her original investigation? How does that connect to her own murder? What is the killer trying to hide? The Life and Death of Rose Doucette by Harry Hunsicker is a crime/mystery novel that uncovers layers of corruption with ties to a 20-year-old crime that haunts its victims to this day.
Book
Dylan enlists the help of his friend and lawyer Mia, a single mother to her infant son. As Dylan and Tito begin to compare notes and connect dots, they realize that Rose had a dark past that she hid from everyone. And seeing as Dylan is supposed to stay away from the investigation, he also has to be careful. But throughout their search for the truth, ex-military types intercept them at every turn – stalking, breaking and entering, etc. And because these people are trying to get rid of anyone seeking out answers, more bodies pile up. Needless to say, much larger players are involved than the pair could have anticipated. And when some of those players’ identities and other details about the past are brought to light, the truth is much darker than expected.
Review
Hunsicker delivers a fast-paced, captivating page-turner with The Life and Death of Rose Doucette. The characters and storytelling kept me engaged until the very end. The author feeds us details so that we feel like we are learning everything in real time with the men. I also enjoyed the reluctant and awkward partnership between Dylan and Tito. Even though Rose was only briefly alive, she still played a key role in the story post-mortem. I also didn’t see some of the connections or twists coming. The short chapters and complex storyline led up to a climax that left quite the impact. I definitely recommend this to readers who love crime fiction or suspense/thrillers. I guarantee readers will not be able to put this one down until the end.
Content warnings include sexual assault, murder, gun violence, police corruption, and child endangerment.
Harry Hunsicker joins the Cantina Book Club Podcast to talk about what draws him to the suspense genre and his plans for the future. Keep an ear out for the interview and pick up a copy of The Life and Death of Rose Doucette, available now.
