No one wants to hear the words “If anything should happen to me…”.  Especially when it is someone they love.  When Kit Doyle says goodbye to her mother at the airport that is exactly what she hears.  Her mother tells her of a letter that she must read if anything happens to her.  And… tragically, the very next day her mother dies.

Kit is a blogger and radio talk show host.  Her radio program deals with unsolved crimes. Based in Sacramento, California, Kit and her co-host, Farley Black have a successful program sponsored by an influential family.  Kit is separated from her veterinarian husband, Richard, but still has feelings for him.  She seems neither happy nor unhappy.  When she learns of her mother’s death and goes home to Seattle to find the letter she mentioned, everything she ever thought about her life is turned upside-down.  For it seems that the woman she always knew as her mother was not.

Kit is disillusioned with her past which she now realizes was based upon a foundation of lies.   But will her quest result in the truth? or, are the myriad secrets in her family going to color her future as well?  She yearns to have ‘roots’.

Kit uses her radio presence to help in the search for her birthmother.  Her co-host, Farley – and Tamara, her best friend from the station, help her in her quest.  When a promising lead necessitates a trip to Tuscon, Arizona for Kit, Tamara goes in her stead.  It is ratings week and Kit must stay ‘on the air’.  When Tamara’s body is found Kit realizes that someone doesn’t want her to find her birthmother and will do anything to prevent that happening…  Now Kit is grieving for the woman she considered to be her mother AND her best friend.This mystery series debut is told from two perspectives in alternating chapters.  In Sacramento we come to know Kit Doyle, and in Tuscon we come to know the woman named in the letter as her birthmother, Kendra Trafton.  We also meet her birthmother’s friend, Rena and her dysfunctional family.

The novel touched upon some difficult themes.  Family violence, homophobia and gay conversion therapy to name but a few.

A sound mystery series debut, “If anything should happen” has likeable and realistic characters, family secrets, social commentary, and a satisfying ending.

Thanks to Severn House via NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC of the novel in exchange for this review.

Bonnie Hearn Hill worked as a newspaper editor for 22 years, a job that, along with her natural nosiness, increased her interest in contemporary culture. Prior to her new Star Crossed series from Running Press/Perseus Books, she wrote six thrillers for MIRA Books, as well as numerous short stories, nonfiction books and articles. She lives in California.

Read an interview with Bonnie Hearn Hill that was published on The Big Thrill online magazine.