Title: Detective Hannah
Author: Natalie Hannah
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1-6698-5325-1
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 64
Reviewer: Margie Przybylski

Read Book Review

Author Natalie Hannah’s thrilling novela Detective Hannah captivates lovers of mystery,
drama, and romance. While brief, Hannah packs her work full of character development
and charm during the buildup of an ever-complex, globe spanning mystery of the sugar
house killer.

The story follows William, a romantic Irishman, as he immigrated to the promise of the
New World – America. His dreams of becoming a farmer suddenly change as new
opportunities land him on the police force, and then finally a professor of forensic
science. All the while, mysterious murders occur throughout town. As he gets closer to
catching the killer he suddenly loses what is most beloved to him – his wife pregnant
with child. This is not the only romantic loss he suffers in the novel; throughout the book
we learn that William is an eager suitor as he meets new lovers at various turns of the
story.

Hannah’s cast of characters grows in each chapter, however she surely gives each of
them key roles. While they appear in and out of the story briefly, their impact is felt
throughout the course of the story. The mystery unravels throughout the entire book and
while the reader may pick up a hunch or two throughout the story, the ending is full of
unexpected surprises as well as a cliffhanger leaving readers hungry for the next
installment.

The book is universally captivating and appealing to a diverse audience. Hannah’s
choice to feature an immigrant as the main character showcases an important aspect of
American society and culture. We see William struggle for his American dream – though
it seems he never obtains it. He struggles while drowning his sorrows before finding his
footing again. While the mystery is solved, Hannah leaves readers hanging at the end
as we wait for the next issue in the series.

It is evident Hannah carefully researched the time period and setting the book takes
place in. The characters and the events appear genuine, and the audience is able to
follow along easily. The details of the killers’ serial nature add interest to the story rather
than confusion and William’s character grows throughout the course of the mystery.
What comes to a surprise is the namesake of the novel “Detective Hannah” – this
character is not introduced to the story until the last few chapters of the book – leaving
readers searching for this detective for most of the mysterious events. William does well
on his own and becomes complete when he meets the detective needed to solve the
mystery in the end.

A turn of events leads him back across the pond, the killer continues to strike all over
the world. William, Scotland Yard and even a wealthy student of his work tirelessly to
catch the killer. A delicately crafted whodunit leaves readers more bewildered as pages
turn. Detective Hannah offers the perfect setting to bring along on a trip or read at home
Hannah’s binge-worthy mystery will not disappoint lovers of mystery, history and
romance.