Michelle L. Cullen: A Field Guide to Death and Deceit
Harry & Emma #2
It’s always tricky when a second book in a new series is released the same year as the first one, for a couple reasons, but a big reason is that the first one is still fresh in your mind, so you won’t be able to help comparing the two. Cullen’s first book, A Field Guide to Murder, was released last January. It’s one of my favorite debuts of this year. I’m happy to report that book two might be even stronger than book one. (Where this lands Cullen during award season is another story). This nascent series has a great set up: retired anthropologist Harry meets young caregiver Emma in book one. He’s grieving his wife, but as he and Emma investigate a murder in the neighborhood together, they both find friendship and a new purpose.