This gripping drama hooked me right from the start when the narrator finds herself arrested for her former best friend Elaine’s murder. Initially centered around two couples, the unfolding events reveal a rich tapestry of layers and characters much more extensive than first supposed.

While completely captivated by the narrative, I was put out upon discovering that this is just the first installment in the “What Happened to Mia Davis?” series. While I understand the author’s reasoning for turning a standalone into a series, I couldn’t shake the disappointment of not learning about Mia’s fate nor seeing Elaine’s murderer brought to justice at the end of the book. I guess I’ll have to wait for the sequel to come out.

Setting that aside, the story is told through the eyes of Catheryn, the woman accused of Elaine’s murder, and Rachel, a police officer and Mia’s best friend. The initial shift from Catheryn’s perspective to Rachel’s caught me off guard, but once I adjusted, I found Rachel’s side of the story equally compelling.

The characters were not only relatable but also well-crafted, and the mystery’s twists and turns were subtle, with misdirection playing a crucial role. Overall, despite my reservations about the series format, the book held my attention throughout, and I stayed up way past my bedtime to read just a little more. 

I especially enjoyed the meticulous attention to detail, ranging from the portrayal of the interrogating police officer to the occasionally irrational yet entirely comprehensible reasoning processes of both Rachel and Catheryn.

Pinpointing my favorite part of the book without giving away spoilers is a challenge, but let me just say that the dual narrative perspectives masterfully guide readers through the mystery, unraveling the clues one by one. If you’re a fan of compelling crime dramas, this book is an absolute must-read! Get Reasonable from Amazon today!

I received an ARC from Reedsy Discovery. You can read my review HERE.