Epiphany's Murder by John Rosskopf brings a new and refreshing private investigator to the hard-boiled mystery genre. PI Jake Powers veers away from the usual cheating spouse cases and insurance claims to examine the death of Epiphany Marque. Her mother was sure that Epiphany's boyfriend was the one who dumped her body in the Sacramento River. Jake Powers isn't convinced after he questions her friends, co-workers, and neighbors. Something doesn't add up until he realizes that Epiphany worked as an intern in the Capitol for the Speaker of Assembly. No one from that office was questioned about her disappearance or death. Jake stirs up trouble as he gets closer to the truth. He hopes he doesn't end up dead like the last private investigator who took this case.

I found Epiphany's Murder to be an endless cycle of twists and new beginnings. John Rosskopf skillfully moves the story along at a breath-taking speed as the plot becomes fascinating and mysterious. The author is very gifted and he brings Jake Powers alive in print. You sense his struggles as demons still haunt his dreams from his time in Afghanistan. You hold on to the hope that his new girlfriend will see past his night terrors, death threats, and old boyfriends who want to recapture her affections. While I hung on every word, I raced to the end because you felt Jake would somehow end up on top. This novel ends with richly descriptive scenes, characters you loved although flawed, and the satisfaction that you finished it alongside Jake, even when the going was tough. I am looking forward to reading more from this author and this series.

In Epiphany’s Murder by John Rosskopf, Sophia Marque was convinced that her daughter had been murdered. Epiphany went missing six months previously. Before her disappearance, she and her mother had spoken every night. Epiphany’s body was found a week after her disappearance, stuck in a tree at Garcia Bend Park. A few weeks before her death, she had told her mother she was afraid and feared for her safety. Sophia believed that the police were not looking into the matter. Charles Robinow initially investigated but was also murdered. Sophia then asked Jake to take over the case. Jake wanted a copy of Robinow’s file but found out that the State Department of Consumer Affairs had sealed Robinow’s office. Something sinister was going on and Jake was intent on finding out what it was.

Epiphany’s Murder by John Rosskopf has a complicated and exciting plot. The story is fast-paced and had so many twists and turns that my head was spinning. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat, turning the pages as fast as I could. There was never a dull moment with all the action that was going on. The description of the fighting and shooting was so real I felt part of it. I found myself biting my nails in anticipation. The characters were well-developed and very strong throughout the story. They knew what they wanted out of life and were not afraid to go for it. The story is well-written and exceeded my expectations. The way Epiphany was murdered was unexpected and it came as a real shocker.