One of You

One of You

One of You has a unique but relatable protagonist and a well-written mystery that will keep you guessing until the end.

• Written by: Lorie Lewis Ham

• Published by: Mystery Rat’s Books

• Release date: June 4, 2024

• Mystery type: Traditional mystery

One of You is the second book in the Tower District Mysteries by Lorie Lewis Ham. It is a follow-up to One of Us, which saw protagonist Roxi Carlucci leave coastal California behind for a fresh start in Fresno, California.

In One of You, Roxi has officially settled into her new home and works as a part-time private investigator with her cousin Stephen. She spends the bulk of her time in the delightful artsy Tower District, a cultural oasis in the heart of the larger city of Fresno. The Tower District is known for its vibrant arts scene, diverse community, and unique architecture, making it a great backdrop for a mystery novel.

The events in this book take place during Halloween. Lorie Lewis Ham does a wonderful job of setting the scene for the season—there is thick Tule fog blanketing the district and activities galore, from a pet parade with costumed pets and a zombie pub crawl to an adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe's Murders at the Rue Morgue.

Roxi made many theatre friends, including Clark, who owns a bookstore and has asked Roxi to assist with the planning of the Tower Halloween Mysteryfest. Halloween is her favorite time of year, so she is happy to help out and excited about the bookstore event, which will bring many mystery authors to the Tower District, including Marilyn Bradford, the reigning Queen of Cozy Mysteries.

Things take a turn when a murder occurs and Mysteryfest becomes a mystery investigation. Roxi and her cousin Stephen dig into the victim's past and uncover quite a few secrets. There are plenty of suspects, and Lorie Lewis Ham does an excellent job of laying out enough red herrings to keep the reader guessing until the final reveal.

As good as the mystery is, there are so many other things to like about One of You. Roxi is a fantastic protagonist. She is resourceful, unique, and quite likable. It is impossible not to root for her.

The supporting characters are also well-drawn. Stephen is the perfect P.I. sidekick, and Roxi's theatre friends are colorful and interesting. Roxi is an animal lover with several rescue pets, including a dumbo rat named Merlin, a black cat, and a pit bull. They add a layer of fun and cuteness to the story.

Roxie is a big King Arthur fan and likes shows like Charmed and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. These stories got her through some tough times, which I can relate to.

The setting also adds to the story. The Tower District is a real place in Fresno, California. Many of the coffee shops, theaters, or apartment buildings mentioned in the books actually exist, which makes me want to visit the area even more.

Lorie Lewis Ham is a wonderful writer, who really understands mysteries. She knows how to structure a story, build suspense, create likable characters, and write authentic descriptions that make you feel like you're right there in the Tower District with Roxi.

I thoroughly enjoyed One of You and look forward to more Roxi Carlucci stories. Although One of You could be read as a stand-alone, I recommend starting with One of Us, the first book in the series, so that you can get to know the Tower District with Roxi and properly appreciate the character growth.

Disclosures: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. This page includes affiliate links. Cozy Crime Reads may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. This does not cost you anything but does help to support the site.