Boom Days is an explosive thriller filled with menace, intrigue and sexual tension. Hot and dark, fun and dangerous, flirtatious and treacherous. Montana Kane has crafted another dynamic, engaging and entertaining novel that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Tensions are rising in the picturesque mountain town of Boomville, Colorado. Rents are pricing out the locals. Out of towners are swarming the town for the summer. And things keep exploding. Namely vacation rentals. Enter Brandy Martini, former Chicago detective turned private investigator, who is hired by a property owner to look into the matter. Partnering with local law enforcement, Brandy’s investigation puts her at odds with an angry hippie, a collective living in the woods, and old-timers who hate tourists. To add to the drama, her sister is onto yet another business idea, her mother shows up unannounced for a visit, and her romantic feelings for the police lieutenant continue to confound her. Despite all that’s going on around her, Brandy must block out the noise and focus on the task at hand – finding those behind the explosions and bring them to justice before more people are hurt or killed. And she better hurry, because not only is she in the crosshairs of these dangerous individuals, but so are the people she loves the most.
The plot is captivating and enticing, grabbing your attention early and never letting go. However, it’s the eclectic characters who are the propulsive force behind this story. You can’t help but fall in love with the bong brothers carefree take on life and willingness to help no questions asked, Brandy’s sister’s joyful can-do spirit, the deputy sheriff’s one-way jealous rivalry with Brandy, or the local drunks who will talk your ear off for a free drink. Then there’s the “will they, won’t they” intensity between Brandy and the police lieutenant that turns up the heat and threatens to derail their professional responsibilities in favor of succumbing to their desires. On the flip side, we have the antagonists. Villains that damn the consequences and don’t fit the usual profile of rampaging criminals hellbent on blowing shit – and people – up. An unconventional and crafty approach to the backstories of those on the wrong side of the law.
But the star of the show is Brandy. She’s a highly capable badass who has her flaws and blind spots, but wants nothing more than to be a valuable member of the community and live her life in peace. Which requires introspection and no longer avoiding the hard work of addressing past traumas. But until she is ready to do that work, she’s surrounded by a tremendous support system and has a purpose to keep her occupied – catching bad guys/gals. Something at which she is supremely qualified and good at doing. And in Boom Days, she sees more than her fair share of action in this regard. Making her continued development as a strong female protagonist enjoyable to witness.
A second straight banger to kick off this series, we can only hope for more Brandy Martini to enrich our lives in the future.
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