"Bleak Town" by Sarah Horth delivers a captivating and atmospheric tale set in a climate-changed future, where rising seas and flooding have transformed Seattle. In this compelling mystery, Officer Hazel Moore takes center stage as she navigates a world where survival and solving murders go hand in hand.

As a volunteer police officer in a tight-knit community striving to adapt to their new reality, Hazel Moore becomes entangled in the search for a ruthless killer. Horth skillfully weaves a complex web of intrigue, leading Hazel on a relentless pursuit to uncover the truth. The stakes are high, as the killer's actions threaten not only the fragile community but also those closest to Hazel.
Hazel Moore emerges as a resilient and dynamic protagonist, bringing a refreshing depth to the story. Her determination and unwavering commitment to justice shine through as she delves into the dark underbelly of society. As the investigation unfolds, Hazel finds herself entangled with the enigmatic Dr. Will Harington, a figure who simultaneously ignites her long-lost passions and raises suspicions.
Sarah Horth's skillful storytelling paints a vivid and haunting picture of the climate-changed Seattle. The atmospheric setting serves as an additional character, heightening the tension and creating a palpable sense of urgency. Horth's attention to detail immerses readers in the dystopian world, making every page come alive.
"Bleak Town" seamlessly blends a riveting murder plot with a touch of romance, providing a well-rounded reading experience. The fast-paced narrative keeps readers on the edge of their seats, as Hazel races against time to outwit a cunning killer who always seems to be one step ahead.
One of the book's standout strengths is its exploration of the intricacies of human relationships in a post-apocalyptic setting. Horth skillfully intertwines themes of trust, betrayal, and the resilience of the human spirit, adding depth and emotional resonance to the story.
Sarah Horth's writing is engaging and evocative, showcasing her talent for crafting suspenseful scenes and creating fully realized characters. The author's ability to balance plot and character development ensures that readers will become deeply invested in Hazel's journey.
"Bleak Town" is a thrilling start to the Hazel Moore mystery series, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the next installment. With its compelling storyline, well-drawn characters, and a gritty, climate-changed backdrop, this book is a must-read for fans of atmospheric thrillers and strong female protagonists. Dive into the captivating world of "Bleak Town" and let Sarah Horth's expert storytelling take you on an unforgettable journey.

I love a good murder mystery, and the 'futuristic', more what-if than a full-on dystopia, worked well as a setup for police work in a resource-scarce environment. It's a good start, but it would have benefited from some more description of this new environment. It still felt a little too familiar, too close to comfort (as a reader, not necessarily for the characters).
The plot was smart, with some good surprises and the lead character had some depth, police work not being her main occupation. It was also well paced, in a realistic manner, and acknowledging the environment and the full life of characters.
That being said, I struggled to really get into it, to connect with Hazel and the other characters. Many of them were simply glossed over, and Hazel was not necessarily a character I could fully get behind. Or maybe it was the writing style that prevented me from fully getting into it.
I felt like it was an OK read, and I ended up liking the way it ended, but it took me a while to read the whole book, as I would never feel compelled to really sit there for another hour to figure out what was happening next. ( )

Gritty, tough. Liked the main character of Hazel and enjoyed the descriptions of the Pacific Northwest after the flu decimates the population. Would read more in the series.

The beginning of the book is not good. In the first chapter we mostly learn that Hazel is unhappy, that Hazel is unhappy and ... that Hazel is unhappy.
Just read on: it gets better and better.
I got this book as a present on LibraryThing, in exchange for a review.
I chose it, because it is situated in a time after the great climate breakdown.
The writer tells about it, but casually. Sometimes you learn something of the past, but what happened exactly? The reader still does not know at the end of the book.
But you do read about the consequences: hardly any electricity, no computers, no internet, society has broken down and is reinventing itself, and the banks? The banks still earn money.
In this world Hazel Moore tries to unravel a series of gruesome murders. She gets help from an ex-cop, who has trained the new police. But she is also obstructed by, for example, her direct boss.

To me, the book was hard to read. Maybe because I was not feeling too well.
But I really got to like Hazel. And in the end it all worked out.

I will not give five stars, among others because of the beginning of the book.
But four: yes, sure. ( )

An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my thoughts in any way.

Bleak Town is the first book in the Hazel Moore Mystery series. It takes place twenty years in the future, after climate change and pandemics have taken their toll on the world. The author put a lot of effort into imagining what such a future would look like. It's grim and gritty and made even more so after several grizzly murders, which Hazel Moore is put in charge of investigating. I enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading the next ones. ( )