Title: Death in Utopia

Author: Phillip Vega

Genre: Mystery

 

In Phillip Vega’s Death in Utopia, Detective Karen Skaryd and her husband, Brock, are on vacation in the Dominican Republic to celebrate their twenty-fifth anniversary and to attend a rosarian society gathering. When one of the members of the gathering suddenly drops dead, Karen’s suspicions that more is going on than a random death spike. As murders stack up in paradise alongside Bible verses referring to the Ten Commandments, Karen finds herself getting deeper into a web she may not be able to escape.

Vega builds a mystery that pulls the reader in from the first page and keeps the reader guessing throughout about who the killer is. Hints are dropped about who it could be, but even then, the author has crafted such a well-put-together novel that most readers won’t know until the big reveal. Death in Utopia checks the boxes for not only the mystery genre but also for thriller and suspense.

Karen Skaryd is a likable protagonist. She’s a seasoned middle-aged detective who has strong experience on both the regular police force and with the FBI, and while on vacation, hoping to get away from being married to her work and instead celebrate her marriage with her husband, Brock, she can’t help but get involved in the latest series of murders, even if she’s out of her jurisdiction. Karen is stubborn at times, which can be frustrating for other characters but proves useful for furthering the plot and keeping the momentum building. The author doesn’t waste any words during the course of the narrative. Every chapter builds on the next as the story unfolds.

Even if someone isn’t the biggest fan of the genre, Death in Utopia features plenty of elements to draw the reader in. The resort in the Dominican Republic is described in stunning detail, a stark contrast to the raw, brutal streets once stepping off its property. It’s a reminder to both Karen and the reader that life is very different there compared to the United States, but even though Karen is in a different country and is constantly being told by the local law enforcement to keep out of the investigation, the scary truth that crimes like murder happen everywhere strikes close. Also, the underground human trafficking elements that are revealed as part of the bigger, more sinister underbelly of the murder spree serve both as a plot device and as a reminder of our sad, twisted reality.

Vega has a strength for not only creating compelling characters and an intriguing plot but also for crafting everyday scenes like cocktail parties and romance riding alongside gruesome murders. The murders grow more and more ghastly as they unfold, starting with poisoning and ending with too much blood to write about. Such scenes may not be for everyone.

Vega sets up the first book in the series for the rest, leaving the villain at large. The ending can feel rather abrupt because of this.

Death in Utopia is a strong first book in a mystery-thriller series that is sure to keep fans returning. Phillip Vega is skilled at weaving a complex web of intrigue. For lovers of detective stories, Karen Skaryd proves to be a compelling protagonist.

 

 

This Editorial Review was written by the Book Review Directory staff. To receive a similarly honest, professional review for one of your own books, click here.