This was my first delve into this particular series, and although I realized I was diving in out of the intended order, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it functioned well as a stand-alone novel.

One of the aspects I truly appreciated was the character development. The author crafted complex characters that felt authentic and relatable, making their journeys engaging to follow. Additionally, the occasional inclusion of French phrases added a charming layer to the narrative, enriching the setting and providing a nice cultural touch. I also found myself drawn to the protagonist's inner monologue; it was introspective and relatable, though I must admit that the repetitive phrase “I didn’t say it” became a bit grating at times.

However, my primary critique of the story revolves around its resolution. It felt overly convenient to have such separate investigations and an unrelated death in Canada, all of which Brennan has a connection with, all seamlessly intertwined. The neatness of the connections stretched believability for me, making the story feel contrived rather than organically unfolding.

Overall, I found the writing style engaging and skilful, and I'm still interested in exploring more books in this series. Despite my slight disappointment with certain plot elements, I look forward to seeing how the author develops future stories and characters.