Here is Tambi’s review:
Move over, Doppler radar; Sunny Knight has a different kind of storm to track! This first-in-series brewed up a Category 5 level of suspense, and my reading forecast calls for a 100% chance of diving straight into the next book upon release!
In the series starter, The Forecast is... Murder, Susie Black delivers a brilliant series debut that successfully transplants her signature wit from the apparel settings of her Holly Swimsuit series to the sun-scorched sands of Cactus City, California. We follow Sunny Knight, a high-stakes investigative reporter from New Jersey who has been “exiled” by the United Television Network to a tiny affiliate station, KCTS. The transition is a jarring career demotion; station owner Edwina McClintock informs Sunny that since “nothing ever happens” in the desert, her investigative skills are obsolete, rebranding her as the station’s new weather reporter. However, the atmosphere shifts from dry to deadly when Edwina is arrested for the murder of her bridge partner and long-term acquaintance of over thirty years. Despite their rocky professional start, Sunny’s reporter instincts scream that her boss is being framed. As she balances her new role - using her growing local fame as a weather personality to gain the community's trust - she begins a clever, covert investigation into a perfect storm of suspects, each with a viable motive.
Sunny Knight is a quintessential Susie Black lead: intelligent, determined, and refreshingly no-nonsense. Her internal monologue is a highlight of the book, creating a deep connection that makes you feel like a true partner in her investigation. Susie Black’s prose is wonderfully picturesque, painting the desert landscape with such vivid detail that you can almost feel the heat radiating off the page. I was particularly impressed by how the author weaves educational tidbits into the narrative—such as the fascinating relationship between weather and date trees—without ever making them feel like a lecture. These details are vital to the plot, so readers should keep their eyes peeled; in a Sunny Knight mystery, you don't want to blink and miss a clue.
While the book hits all the beloved tropes of a cozy mystery, it leans toward a “hard-boiled cozy” style. There is some mild swearing and a few scenes of more graphic scenery than your standard tea-and-crumpets mystery, though it never feels over the top or out of place for a former investigative journalist. The supporting cast is equally strong, featuring quirky characters whose evolving relationships with Sunny provide unexpected heart. Angus, in particular, is an absolute scene-stealer and the perfect companion for our sharp-witted lead. With an unpredictable, briskly paced storyline and a “gotcha” ending that ties everything up in a perfect bow, Susie Black proves once again that she is a master of the twisty whodunit. Whether she’s talking about the weather or a homicide, Sunny Knight is a character I’ll be following for seasons to come.
Smart, gritty, and refreshingly no-nonsense. Susie Black reigns supreme in this high-desert whodunit. Don’t miss out on this scorching series debut where the wit is as sharp as a cactus spine!
https://books2read.com/u/3GBDzQ
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Forecast-Murder-Sunny-Knight-Mystery/dp/B0HCRVJ2N9/ref=sr_1_1
Fabulous review! Congrats! I love the "Cactus" television - so clever! Sounds like a phenomenal book!