The Next Right Thing by Dan Barden

By Dennis Haritou

Because the elevation rises sharply from the shore of Laguna Beach, in Orange County, California, there aren’t that many roads leading in or out of the affluent community of about 20K people.

I learned that much from Wikipedia. With the affluence and utter drop dead beauty of the place, it’s also the nurturing home of culture and counter-culture, plus surfing. Nearby Emerald Bay is an even more exclusive tract of distinct multi-million dollar homes. Again drop dead gorgeous, or so I imagine. Average temp year-round is about 70F.

Such a semi-sealed beach front jewel sounds to me like the ideal locale in which to set a mystery or suspense novel. I’ve always been fondest of my occasional reads in this genre when they are set in a place that I’d love to escape to. That’s why I read a whole slew of early Hillerman mysteries (which are the better ones), you know The Skinwalkers guy, because they are set in the great American Southwest which I love…

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