In The Good Detective, John McMahon introduces readers to Detective P.T. Marsh—a once-promising cop now spiraling after the loss of his wife and son. When Marsh steps in to rough up an abuser one night, he wakes up to find that same man dead—and himself the prime suspect in a murder investigation. As he digs deeper, he uncovers a horrifying connection between this killing and a recent lynching of a Black teenager, exposing a decades-old conspiracy buried beneath Mason Falls, Georgia’s Southern charm. It’s a gripping debut that merges gritty procedural storytelling with social commentary and Southern noir.

I enjoyed this book as a darker, more traditional police procedural. It’s definitely grittier than some recent mysteries I’ve read, and it tackles some heavy themes—racism, grief, corruption—that leave a lasting impact. P.T. Marsh is a flawed but compelling character, battling demons both internal and external, and while the subject matter gets heavy, the presence of characters with true heart helps bring some balance. I still prefer Head Cases—which I listened to earlier this year and loved—but this book made it clear that McMahon knows how to build tension and character in equal measure.

As a debut, The Good Detective was good. McMahon gives Marsh a sharp, distinctive voice, with dialogue that crackles and some strikingly original retorts. The plot kicks off fast and keeps moving, drawing you into Marsh’s messy, morally gray world. Even when the story veers into darkness, there’s a pulse of redemption that keeps things grounded. I’m definitely planning to continue the series to see where P.T. goes next—and I’ll keep reading this series for sure.

AMAZON | GOODREADS | BOOKSHOP |★★★★

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