Solid Second Stage. The easiest way to describe this series, for those who haven’t read the first book, is to imagine the TV show Blue Bloods… but instead the family is Hispanic and lives in Phoenix. If you’re even vaguely familiar with that show (and to be clear, I’ve never watched a single episode of it, just seen several ads and a few clips over the years), that gives you a reasonably solid idea of what to expect in general with this series.
In this installment in particular, we get what appears at first glance to be just an accidental overdose… except, well, it comes to the Angelharts’ attention and Margot in particular smells a rat.
Over the course of 400+ pages, Brennan never really lets the story drag at all. There is enough mystery and danger here to carry the tension, and enough familial interaction to give the tale depth, heart, and even a touch of humor at times.
This noted, the 21 Jump Street (both movie and, at least according to my understanding – the show came out when I was still a young kid – the show) parallels are so obvious here in this particular mystery that Brennan actively leans into them, openly having her characters talk about the show at a point or two.
Overall this really is a solid second outing for these characters, and it will be interesting to see what Brennan comes up with for them next.
Very much recommended.
This review of Don’t Say A Word by Allison Brennan was originally written on September 15, 2025.
