Thaddeus “Thad” Jude Hanlon, a widower and single father, and his martial arts-obsessed partner Abril “Bri” de la Guerra were not having the easiest time as newly licensed private investigators in the Five Cities region on the West Coast. Their PI firm needed clients to take off. When a former exotic dancer from Bakersfield, California, hires them to find her missing son Moby Dudamel, a surfing prodigy, the pair quickly goes to work. A wave of surf gang violence is taking the Five Cities beaches by storm, and Moby happens to be in the thick of it and in grave danger. Hanlon and Bri find themselves treading a slippery path riddled with cultism, life-threatening violence, family secrets, and local crime as they try to solve the mystery around Moby’s case. Discover more in Topper Jones’ Oceano Beach Bedlam: A Thad Hanlon and Bri de la Guerra Mystery.

Topper Jones’s Oceano Beach Bedlam is a must-read for lovers of gripping whodunnit novels. With succinct prose, Jones weaves an intriguing plot featuring an exciting and dynamic cast. The edge-of-the-seat suspense and the spell-binding plot twists hooked me, leaving me turning page after page. The vivid imagery and great attention to detail colorfully breathed life into the scenes. It felt like I was watching a Hollywood mystery thriller. Jones has a knack for creating tremendously dramatic scenes laced with robust humor. Between Hanlon playing a single dad, trying his chances at dating, and running a high-stakes investigation that threatened his life, I could not help laughing as I watched the scenes unfold. I relished the lively and witty conversations. Accompanied by introspection, they gave depth to the cast’s conflicts and emotions. Juxtaposing their complex traits allowed me to connect with them. This is a terrific second installment in the series and a stand-alone read. I loved it. I’m on my way to get the other installments.

Oceano Beach Bedlam by Topper Jones is a mystery investigative drama that follows Thad Hanlon and his partner, Bri de la Guerra. This duo is no ordinary private investigative team; with the help of Thad’s toddler, Zael, they solve cases in unconventional ways. They combine their skills with Zael's innocent observations and keen intuition to uncover clues. After experiencing death and loss, Thad and Bri promised to play it safe in the future. However, due to financial pressures, they cannot afford to be picky with their cases. In their latest investigation involving a missing surfer teenager named Moby, they discover disturbing truths that make them question whether they are willing to risk their lives again. Clues point to a cult-like group conducting ritual killings, forcing Thad and Bri to race against time to unravel a sinister web of deception and confront their deepest fears. Moby’s mother and wealthy stepfather add another layer of complexity to the investigation as their dysfunctional relationship leads to tension and unexpected challenges.

Oceano Beach Bedlam is the second book in the Thad Hanlon & Bri de la Guerra Mystery Series by Topper Jones and features a thrilling plot that takes readers on a rollercoaster of emotions. The narrative explores Thad and Bri’s grief and struggles to overcome their dangerous past that resulted in the loss of loved ones. Zael emerges as the highlight of the story, displaying unexpected insights and childlike bravery, which brings a unique dynamic to the team’s investigative approach. The story delves into deep philosophical themes of resilience, sacrifice, parenting, and fatherhood. It contains some gruesome scenes that may be triggering for sensitive readers. Despite this, the book is well worth reading, as it offers a suspenseful and thought-provoking narrative that many will find entertaining, and inspiring. I appreciated the author's inclusion of humorous moments that balance the darker themes, bringing light to the story. Overall, this is a fantastic read, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys mystery thrillers.