Helms weaves a gripping tale of secrets, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of truth in this assured series starter. Five years after leaving the Charleston Police Department under a cloud of controversy, Detective Whitlock finds himself drawn back into the world of investigations when multibillionaire Tucker Donovan hires him for a special mission: to uncover the identity of Donovan's long-lost daughter. As Whitlock delves into the case, he navigates an agreeably complex web of deception and danger, with each potential candidate for Donovan's daughter harboring their own secrets and motivations. With the shadow of a murdered detective hanging over the investigation, Whitlock must race against time to unravel the truth before he becomes the next target.Seasoned mystery pro Helms (Doctor Hate) demonstrates his mastery in blending genres as the narrative seamlessly transitions between mystery, suspense, and family drama, creating a rich and multi-dimensional story powered by crisp prose, sharp-edged dialogue, and an eye for the killer detail. Helms’ skilful pacing and scencraft will keep readers on the edge of their seats, but the page-turning storytelling never comes at the expense of complex themes and convincing, multifaceted characters revealed in striking portraiture, like the actress who, facing “the constantly shrinking scope of her dreams” and “degradation at the hands of at least one producer” finds herself “reduced from ambition to resignation.”
Helms combines shoe-leather procedural sleuthing with unpredictable setpieces and a savvy examination of South Carolina business, politics, culture, and personalities. (Charleston is the “Holy City” of the title, and the milieu is evoked with offhand precision, with the silver hair one local swell, at his plantation, “drawn stringy in the Low Country humidity.”) Holy City excels in building suspense and intrigue, with a twisty but satisfying plot, as Helms spices his thoughtful buildup with jolts of action and fish-out-of-water suspense as Whitlock jets to surprising locales. Readers will be eager for more Whitlock.
Takeaway: A Charleston PI seeks a billionaire’s lost daughter in this polished series starter.
Comparable Titles: Greg Iles, James Lee Burke.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
