Dianne L. Hagan’s Fallen Deer drops readers straight into the stormy heart of Cadence, New York, a town brimming with history, secrets, and an eerie knack for attracting trouble. When Marian Greene, our ever-curious protagonist, sets out on a simple errand, she never expects to find herself staring into the lifeless eyes of a man who quite literally falls out of the sky. What begins as a routine morning quickly spirals into an intricate mystery involving arson, hidden children, and a chilling murder that seems to connect to forces far greater than the town itself. As Marian and her steadfast group of friends, family, and law enforcement unravel the layers of Cadence’s latest catastrophe, they uncover deep-rooted corruption, harrowing secrets, and the resilience of a community determined to protect its own.

What I love most about this book is how effortlessly Hagan blends cozy small-town dynamics with high-stakes suspense. The relationships feel real—warm, complicated, and filled with the kind of teasing and deep loyalty that makes the town of Cadence feel like home. Take Lester and Marian’s banter, for instance. Their long-standing love is evident in the way they bicker, support, and challenge each other. And then there’s Enoch, who, despite his gruff exterior, carries a quiet wisdom that grounds the story. Every character feels like someone you’d meet in real life.

The writing itself is a mix of sharp, punchy dialogue and beautifully immersive descriptions. The moment when Marian’s windshield shatters as a deer crashes onto her car is a masterclass in tension. The scene unfolds in slow motion, pulling the reader into the same breathless shock Marian experiences. And just when you think she’s caught a break, she looks up—only to lock eyes with a dead man. It’s moments like these that showcase Hagan’s ability to build suspense without sacrificing the intimate, small-town feel that makes Cadence so special.

That said, the book isn’t all heartwarming friendships and gripping mysteries. It also digs into weighty, real-world themes. The arrival of two buses of migrants, the racial history of Cadence, and the trauma carried by the town’s residents add layers of social commentary that make this more than just a mystery novel. One of the most gut-wrenching moments comes when a malnourished child is found hiding in the woods, terrified and alone. The urgency of finding the missing mother and the fear that something far more sinister is at play give the story a deeper emotional weight.

If you’re looking for a mystery that balances thrilling suspense with rich character relationships and meaningful themes, Fallen Deer is for you. Fans of Louise Penny’s Three Pines series or Julia Spencer-Fleming’s Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne Mysteries will feel right at home in Cadence. It’s a book for readers who love a good whodunit but also crave depth, humor, and a little bit of history woven into their mysteries.

Pages: 258 | ASIN : B0DWYP2ZCV