In Oceano Beach Bedlam, Topper Jones throws us into a gritty, sun-soaked mystery set against California’s central coast. The story follows Thad Hanlon, a former forensic accountant turned private eye, and his fierce partner Bri de la Guerra, as they unravel the disappearance of a teenage surfing prodigy. What starts with a corpse tangled in a sand groomer soon spirals into complexity involving gangs, privileged families, a toxic home life, and plenty of secrets hiding in plain sight. The book blends classic noir with a beachy detective twist, and it leans hard on fast-talking dialogue, quirky characters, and some good old-fashioned sleuthing, with a side of toddler antics courtesy of Thad’s son, Zael.

Honestly, I had a blast with this one. It’s punchy, weird, emotional, and occasionally a little absurd in the best way. Jones writes like someone who doesn’t take himself too seriously but still knows how to land a heavy moment when it counts. I found the pacing snappy, especially in the first half. The stakes build fast, and the interplay between Thad and Bri gives the story real energy. Their banter isn’t just for show, it reveals who they are, how broken they’ve been, and how much they’re both trying to put their pieces back together. Zael, Thad’s toddler, isn’t just comic relief; he’s weirdly insightful, and his presence adds emotional weight to a story that could have easily been just a slick, smart-aleck crime caper.

There’s a lot going on in this story. While I admired the wild turns and layered plot, a few characters didn’t land the way they probably should have. Mr. Dudamel, for example, felt more like a villain caricature than a real threat at first. Still, even when the plot swerved or the tone slipped, I didn’t stop turning pages. I was in it all the way through.

Oceano Beach Bedlam is a smart and entertaining read. If you like your mysteries with surfboards, sass, and just enough heart to keep you caring, this one’s for you. It’s a great pick for fans of offbeat detectives, fast dialogue, and sun-drenched noir with a brain and a soul. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy Janet Evanovich, Robert Crais, or the beachier edges of Elmore Leonard.

Pages: 350 | ASIN : B0DSG8YN11