Veena’s review of A Madness of Sunshine  by Nalini Singh
Romantic Thriller published by Berkley 03 Dec 19

Ms. Singh has been a long-time favorite author of mine whose writing has fueled many happy hours lost in her imagination.  While all her stories have painted their share of action, adventure, and evil, I was not quite sure what to expect from this contemporary dark-sounding thriller. Rest assured, fellow readers, she packs the same sucker punch that she’s always packed in her character and story development. Two lost and lonely souls connect at the side of the road leading to the small town of Golden Cove in a remote corner of New Zealand. For Anahera, it’s a homecoming to a town she couldn’t wait to leave behind, while for Will it’s a banishment tucking him out of sight to be slowly forgotten.  For all its natural beauty, this small community in New Zealand seems to be shrouded in darkness.

The disappearance of the beautiful Maori girl on the threshold of spreading her wings to fly seems to bring all the latent darkness to the surface. As Will investigates, he finds dark threads in the histories of many of the young people who have wandered the world to return to this tiny community. Of course, like all small towns, gossip is rampant.

Will and Anahera seem to be drawn together as they work to unravel not just the current disappearance, but the reminder of the past where several hikers had once disappeared never to be found. Is there something sinister going on in this corner of the world? As the threads come together, the answers will shock you as much as the townspeople.

A great read for readers of murder and suspense with some light romance.

Grade: B

See Sandy M’s review here.

Summary:

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh welcomes you to a remote town on the edge of the world where even the blinding brightness of the sun can’t mask the darkness that lies deep within a killer.…

On the rugged West Coast of New Zealand, Golden Cove is more than just a town where people live. The adults are more than neighbors; the children, more than schoolmates.

That is until one fateful summer—and several vanished bodies—shatters the trust holding Golden Cove together. All that’s left are whispers behind closed doors, broken friendships, and a silent agreement to not look back. But they can’t run from the past forever.

Eight years later, a beautiful young woman disappears without a trace, and the residents of Golden Cove wonder if their home shelters something far more dangerous than an unforgiving landscape.

It’s not long before the dark past collides with the haunting present and deadly secrets come to light.

Read an excerpt.