Detective Nick Larson and his partner Detective Victor Sacco are overworked and overwhelmed by a slew of cases, so it would be easy to write off the latest body hanging from the ceiling as the suicide it appears to be, but Nick’s gut is screaming that he actually has a murder on his hands. To make matters worse, Laura Howard, the woman Nick loves is still having issues with a psychotic twin sister and memories of Nick’s ex are ruffling his personal and professional life. As Nick and Sacco continue to investigate, more suspicious suicides turn up, and whether he’s ready or not, Nick will have to track down clues fast before the murderer-turned-serial- killer targets his next victim.

A high tension, emotion-filled police procedural, “Hanging Softly In the Night” is the written version of CSI:NY with an added dose of crazy. Readers will find themselves fully immersed in Nick’s feelings, fears, and determination to hunt the truth, as well as caught up in the mystery of who is killing all these people and why. The romance between Nick and Laura is equally passionate as they struggle with very real conflicting feelings. The story itself is very well written and engaging and keeps the reader guessing who the villain is until the end when the answer is laid out in a clear step by step manner. As the emotions can be gritty and dark at times, this story is not for everyone, but fans of modern detective shows will find plenty to enjoy in this book and will undoubtedly devour the prequel and be eager for book 2!

“Following his instincts, a homicide detective investigates a suicide and uncovers a serial killer in the thrilling murder mystery novel, Hanging Softly in the Night (A Detective Nick Larson Novel) by Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra. When the body of Isabel Creasy is found hanging in her apartment, Detective Nick Larson has the gut feeling that everything isn't as it seems. Isabel is in the process of moving to a more agreeable residence, and the cosmetic line she is developing is promising high returns. Her life is beginning to take off, she is happy, and she had no visible reason to kill herself. When another suicide occurs, Nick and his partner Sacco start searching for links between Isabel and the new victim. Strangely, what stands out at each crime scene is the lack of any signs of a struggle common with a hanging. Did these people intend to die? Or is there a new kind of serial killer stalking the citizens of Manhattan? 

With a psychopathic killer hiding in the background, Hanging Softly in the Night (A Detective Nick Larson Novel) by Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra is a brilliant and breathtaking murder mystery. The elements of mystery, murder, and suspense are expertly woven together, creating a gripping crime story. From the very start, I was captivated by the eloquent and horrifying depiction of the first scene. The twists and turns of the plot were so mesmerizing I couldn't put the book down until I knew who the murderer was and what drove them. With engaging characters, a transfixing plot, and a suspense-filled storyline, the book promises to entertain everyone who enjoys murder mysteries that are intense and exciting from beginning to end!”