Murder in the City of Liberty - (Van Buren and DeLuca Mystery) by Rachel McMillan (Paperback)

“You can make yourself believe a great many things about the choices you make.” The author Rachel McMillan has a way with words that is unique and thoroughly insightful. The characters are quirky and their witty and fun dialogue really makes the story shine. The murder mystery component is a bit reminiscent of Columbo or Murder She Wrote (or Moonlighting as another reviewer mentioned) but it’s the character study of Regina and Hamish and their relationship that take center stage in the book. I’ve followed Hamish’s parents’ story in Rachel McMillan’s previous Herringford and Watts series so I was already fond of Hamish as a baby. My mistake was not reading the first book, Murder at the Flamingo, prior to reading this one. Though the author gives us enough clues and details to piece together what happened in the first book, I felt like I missed out on much of the character development of Hamish, Regina, Nate (Hamish’s best friend), and Luca (Hamish’s cousin). So definitely read Murder at the Flamingo prior to reading this book. There is a lot of emotional tug-of-war between Hamish and Regina, especially as Hamish becomes desperate for Regina’s affection and Regina entertains engagement to a childhood friend. Hamish is such an unlikely hero....yet he really is a hero - brave, protective, tender, and self-sacrificing even in the midst of anxiety attacks and demoralization. But this story is more than just two unlikely people working together and falling in love. It addresses the atmosphere in 1940 Boston where racial prejudice ran hot in the face of the Second World War, the wide gap between the haves and have-nots widened each day, and gangsters and businessmen alike battled each other for power and money. It addresses the debilitating disorder of anxiety and loyalty found in friendship and blood-kin. From how this book ends, there is more to come where Hamish and Regina are concerned. Perhaps Hamish’s cousin Luca as well. I received a copy of the book from Thomas Nelson via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.