"The Arizona Triangle" By Sydney Graves: Review/Giveaway

Review by Autumn Trapani

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase it.

The Arizona Triangle is the first in a new mystery series featuring Justine (“Jo”) Bailen, a former policewoman turned private investigator. We first meet Jo as she’s working to prove her client’s wife’s infidelity, but her private life soon intrudes on her work life when her childhood best friend Rose goes missing, and Rose’s mother has specifically requested Jo to solve the case.

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Image Source Harper Paperbacks

I very much like Jo. She is smart, self-aware, and more than a little snarky. This case tests her since she and Rose had a falling out when they were teenagers and haven’t spoken in decades. Not to mention the fact that the policeman assigned to the case, Tyler, is Jo’s old high school Boyfriend––and is involved in the reason for Jo and Rose’s alienation.

The setting is as much a part of the mystery as any other character. It is set in the Arizona Desert, and the descriptions of the landscape and the weather changes made me feel like I was there. A strong subplot about the Indigenous peoples of the area, particularly the Navaho tribe, adds richness to the story. I was also very intrigued by the fact that Rancho Bella Luna, Jo’s childhood home, was an artist’s commune. The various characters that were part of Jo’s growing up were also intriguing to meet.

The mystery itself is very dark, and the conclusion is a shocking twist that I did not see coming. Readers should be aware that there are themes of abuse and a couple of rather explicit sex scenes in the book as well. Jo’s sense of humor and desire to do the right thing keeps the story grounded.

As I said, this is the first in a series, and I am looking forward to the next. There were a couple of characters introduced that I am hoping will be featured in future installments. Readers who enjoy their mysteries with a strong sense of atmosphere and a little history will enjoy this book.

To enter to win a copy of The Arizona Triangle, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "arizona,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen January 4, 2025. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors!

You can click here to purchase this book.

Autumn Trapani is an avid reader and enjoys letting others know about good books through her reviews. When not reviewing, you can find her working as a property manager – although she always has her nose in a book at lunchtime! Autumn lives in Portland, OR with her husband and two cats.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.