ARC Review: When the House Burns by Priscilla Paton

When the House Burns
Author: Priscilla Paton
Publication: Coffeetown Press; 1st edition (February 14, 2023)

Description: When death comes home, is nowhere safe? The quest for love and home becomes deadly when Detectives Erik Jansson and Deb Metzger must find a man with no address in their search for the killer of an adulterous real estate agent.

My Thoughts: This mystery is all about housing. The victim is a real estate agent found shot outside one of the properties she's listing. 

Detectives Erik Jansson and Deb Metzger are assigned the case. Deb is in the middle of her own housing crisis as her place in a long-stay hotel is no longer available and she just can't find a place that she can afford that is large enough for her 6' 2" self. And the detectives' agency is facing a housing crisis of its own as their current location has become unusable and they need to build another. This adds to the investigation as the detectives must work out of their cars and in borrowed space in the county courthouse. 

Jansson and Metzger look into the realtor's agency and find a group of best, back-stabbing friends. They also find a property developer who seems way too close to some of them and who's also involved in some questionable practices. One of his properties was recently burned in what looks like arson and resulted in the death of a homeless man. He's currently trying to develop housing - some affordable - on the grounds of an old munitions plant. His assistant, who has a major crush on one of the realtors, is secretly investing his finances.

While checking into the arson investigation, they discover that a homeless guy might have been stalking the victim and spend a lot of time in a homeless encampment across from one of the developer's properties looking for him. 

One I got used to the writing style which seemed a lot like stream of consciousness but, thankfully, with punctuation, I found the story interesting. I certainly enjoyed the Twin Cities setting. 

 Favorite Quote:

"How about internet dating apps?"

Erik paced. "Right. Can you see us posting, Homicide detective wants a live one?"

Deb giggled. "After time in the morgue, I need a fresh face."

"When death does us part, I promise to investigate."

"Swipe right and I got your back. Swipe left and it's Miranda rights for you."

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.