Synopses & Reviews
Santa Barbara, California. Private investigator Jaymie Zarlin is still recovering after taking on her first murder case when she receives a call to look into the death of Skye, a local teen found dead in a tank at the Santa Barbara Aquarium. The police are calling Skye's death an accident, but Skye's parents are convinced that there's something more to this mysterious death. Eager to prove that she's up to the task of solving another murder case, Jaymie sets to work and turns up a number of likely suspects, from rich teens with too much time on their hands to people who hated Skye's grandfather. But when information begins to surface about Jaymie's brother, who died in prison years ago, she is torn between doing right by her clients and uncovering the truth about a mystery that hits much closer to home. Suspenseful, smart, and featuring a setting soaked in sunshine and packed with secrets, Karen Keskinen's Black Current is a riveting mystery about the dangerous sacrifices we make for the people we love.
Review
Praise for Black Current
“Readers sad to see the end approach of Sue Graftons novels about another perky California PI should investigate this series.”
--Publishers Weekly
"Clever and complex, “Black Current” is an addictive read that surpasses even its fine predecessor, “Blood Orange.” Complete with a cast of eccentrics - intrepid Jaymie is particularly fascinating - it confirms Keskinens stature as a master of sun-splashed noir worthy of Sue Grafton.”
--Richmond Times-Dispatch
"Keskinen juggles multiple plotlines skillfully and develops secondary characters...in this second entry in an appealing series."
--Booklist
"Exciting...Keskinen has created yet another well-crafted and fast-paced murder mystery with a strong, well-rounded protagonist. Let's hope we hear a lot more from Jaymie Zarlin."
--Santa Barbara News-Press
"Seethes with mystery and intrigue.... A beautiful, richly entertaining series."
--Gumshoe Review
"A sleeper... The story flows well and the characters live up to their billing. You can really feel the frustration of dealing with Skye's grandfather and understand his parents' grief and inability to accept a too easy explanation for the death of a promising young man."
--Bookloons
Praise for Blood Orange
"Engaging...Refreshing...A multi-dimensional psychological mystery."
—Bookpage
"Energetically lurid...Those looking for sensation will find it all."
—PW
"Promising... Definitely fits into the Sue Grafton mold."
—Library Journal
"A briskly told tale with escalating danger...A promising start to a likely series."
—Booklist
"An impressively twisted and unpredictable noir murder mystery...An entertaining and surprisingly authentic page-turning experience."
—Santa Barbara Independent
"An impressive debut with echoes of Sue Grafton and Ross Macdonald."
—Denise Hamilton, author of Damage Control
Synopsis
How far would you go to avenge someone you love?
Its August, and Santa Barbara, California hasnt tasted a drop of rain for months when P.I. Jaymie Zarlin learns a popular high school athlete has drowned in a tank at the city aquarium. The police are calling Skye Rasmussens death an accident, but his distraught parents, unconvinced, hire Jaymie to find out the truth.
Eager to prove shes up to the challenge of solving the case, Jaymie investigates and uncovers an array of suspects. But when information begins to surface about her own brother, who died three years ago in the downtown jail, Jaymie is torn between doing right by her clients and exposing the truth about a mystery that lies much closer to home.
Set in a seaside city splashed in sunshine and laced with poisonous secrets, Karen Keskinen's Black Current is a riveting story about the treacherous secrets we keep and the costly sacrifices we make - all to hold on to the people we love.
About the Author
KAREN KESKINEN was born in Salinas, California. She has also lived in Californias San Joaquin Valley and in Wellington, New Zealand. She now resides in Santa Barbara where she is a full-time writer. Keskinen is the author of Blood Orange and Black Current.