On my bedside table this week was Murder off the Grid by J.V. Winslett. My mother in law gave me the book and her friend happens to be the author. What a gift!
In short…. I loved this one. From the start, I was invested in the characters. They are thoughtfully developed and easy to care about, which makes the story all the more compelling. The setting alone is worth the read. The descriptions of Taos and northern New Mexico are vivid.
One aspect that truly fascinated me was the glimpse into life off the grid and the concept of earthships. I honestly knew very little about this way of living before reading the book, and I found myself going down quite the rabbit hole afterward, reading and learning more. I love when a novel sends me exploring something entirely new, and this one absolutely did.
The plot itself is intriguing, with just the right number of twists and turns to keep you guessing without feeling overdone. I found myself constantly telling myself I’d read “just one more chapter.”
After Virginia Dodd is left by her husband for another woman, she accepts a house-sitting job 3,000 miles away in Taos, New Mexico. Surely, such a remote, off-the-grid home will provide the peace she needs to rebuild her life. But in Taos, peace is the last thing she finds.
The challenges of off-the-grid living, the savage beauty of the desert landscape, and the unfamiliar rhythms of a new culture push Virginia to her limits. Relief comes in the form of Frank Tallwood, a part-Welsh, part-Navajo neighbor, whose steady presence offers companionship—and the possibility of something more.
When their friend, photographer Richard Blackmar, and several of his workshop attendees die in a series of seemingly accidental incidents, Virginia and Frank suspect foul play. But who would target such an innocuous group—and why?
As their search for answers leads them deeper into danger, Virginia and Frank must unmask a hidden and deadly adversary. Their lives—and their chance at a future together—depend on it.
Knowing that my mother in law knows the author makes me want to know all the things… how the idea first took shape? was the photography angle from their group trips? how does she know so much about Taos? … you get the picture. :-)
If you enjoy a smart mystery set against a beautiful backdrop, this one is worth adding to your stack.
Next up on my nightstand: Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine for book club.
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