Real murders

NOT a cozy mystery. (That's not exactly the reason for my rating, but I wanted to say that up front for others' sake!)

This mystery had an interesting premise and was definitely well-researched.

However, I didn't really attach to any of the characters, including Roe, who I could never quite get a read on. And the conclusion kind of came out of nowhere.

[spoilers ahead!]

Let me explain: I don't want to penalize this book for not being cozy, but the problem is that it does seem like one (colorful cover, quaint setting, romance) until the last 5% of the book. Then, without any warning at all and really no necessity to the plot, there is child endangerment, violence, and hints at sexual roleplay together.

Normally I'm fine with reading un-cozy mysteries, but this one blindsided me. (Maybe it was because the book is from the 90s and genre lines were blurrier then?) And with that surprise on top of a love triangle and characters I wasn't totally in love with, I personally won't continue the series.