A Bad Day for Sunshine (Sunshine Vicram, #1)

by Darynda Jones

[kimbacaffeinate]

Sunshine Vicram has returned to the small village of Del Sol, New Mexico as the newly appointed Sheriff. This after her parents entered her in the election. A feat she still isn’t sure how they pulled off. She has her teenage daughter, Auri with her.

First day on the job and Sunshine has a missing child, an escapee from prison and a squabble over a rooster. Ah well at least someone delivered muffins! She has her close friend and fellow officer Quincey to lend support. Even though he teases her over the cow eyes she is making over the man who makes her knees turn to jelly. That forbidden fruit is Levi Ravinder, and he just happens to be the best tracker around.

The story is told from the POVs of Sunshine and Auri. Filled with humor, secrets, and the new cases. We’ve got muffins that make the police squad nervous, a missing officer and plenty of danger in this thrilling mystery.

Turns out Auri is an amature slueth and the missing girl is someone she met before winter session started at school. Here she will face down enemies, meet an interesting boy named Cruz and help her autistic friend Jimmy.

There are touches of paranormal woo-woo in the form of premonitions and I loved it. Jones gave us a romance with sizzling chemistry and peppered in humor that made me burst out laughing. These helped balanced out the intense case, danger, twists and tender moments.

I was hooked from the start and appreciated the quotes that began each chapter. They offered insight to the town and plenty of humor. I am also curious about some of the threads left unanswered. The author left me fully invested in the town of the Del Sol and the characters living there. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer