The Lost Coast: A Novel (Clay Edison)

Most of this novel takes place in Humboldt County, CA, where I happen to have lived for more than the last 34 years. It all rings true, thanks to excellent research by (I assume) Jesse Kellerman. Like his father, Jonathan, Jesse has a sharp eye for detail and a superb ear for dialogue. I bought this book a year ago after finishing the first four father/son novels, and the wait was worth it. The torch has been passed. More, please!

This is the fifth book in the Clay Edison series by Jonathan Kellerman. While I have read and enjoyed several of Kellerman's Alex Delaware series, this is the first in the Edison series for me. It was easily read as a stand alone.

Description: It's been almost a year since Clay Edison was forced out of his job at the coroner's bureau. Now he's on his own, working as a private eye. When a client brings him a fraud case, Clay dives into a decades-old scheme targeting the vulnerable. His investigation leads him to a bizarre town buried in the remote California wilderness. The residents don't care much for outsiders. They certainly don't like Clay asking questions. And they'll do just about anything to shut him up.

My Thoughts: A very strange and unusual town Clay is investigating and it puts him in danger. I did enjoy the investigation as well as the well-defined characters. I really liked the quirky private investigator Clay teamed up with to help unravel the intricacies of this mysterious situation. The plot held my interest. It was a little slow in the middle with a fast-paced, tense buildup to the ending. I recommend to anyone who likes a good mystery.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine through Netgalley for an advance copy.

This was my first Clay Edison book. I’ve read every Alex Delaware novel, and some of Jonathan Kellerman’s other books. I’m a definite fan.

That being said, I really enjoyed this book a lot, so much so that I intend to read the previous ones and catch up on the back story. This book was great as a standalone, though.

The tale built in starting in the first few chapters and turned into a full-blown mystery that was action-packed and kept me turning pages to try to figure it out. Clay began out with a client wondering about some discrepancies in his grandmother’s estate. When Clay connects the dots to a piece of property on California’s Lost Coast, the plan is for him to go up and look at it, take a few pictures, and work out what kind of crooked scene the guys there are trying (and succeeding) to pull off. He drives up, meets some of the people there, including the real-estate scoundrels, and goes back to report. It’s when he decides to take a return trip and he picks up a partner to go with him that it all becomes really interesting.

Loved it! Clay is one of the good guys. I hope Regina returns too.

This was my first Clay Edison book. I’ve read every Alex Delaware novel, and some of Jonathan Kellerman’s other books. I’m a definite fan.

That being said, I really enjoyed this book a lot, so much so that I intend to read the previous ones and catch up on the back story. This book was great as a standalone, though.

The tale built in starting in the first few chapters and turned into a full-blown mystery that was action-packed and kept me turning pages to try to figure it out. Clay began out with a client wondering about some discrepancies in his grandmother’s estate. When Clay connects the dots to a piece of property on California’s Lost Coast, the plan is for him to go up and look at it, take a few pictures, and work out what kind of crooked scene the guys there are trying (and succeeding) to pull off. He drives up, meets some of the people there, including the real-estate scoundrels, and goes back to report. It’s when he decides to take a return trip and he picks up a partner to go with him that it all becomes really interesting.

Loved it! Clay is one of the good guys. I hope Regina returns too.

Four beautiful stars!

The Lost Coast by Jonathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman is the fifth book in the Clay Edison mystery series. With an intriguing and multilayered plot, the authors give readers a story that is suspenseful, full of fascinating characters, and largely set in a picturesque but secluded area of the California coast.

Clay Edison is now working as a private investigator when a client brings him a potential fraud case. Chris Villareal has been named the executor of his grandmother’s estate and has found a reoccurring charge that doesn’t make sense. Investigating what seems to be a scheme targeting those who are easily preyed upon leads Clay to the remote community of Swann’s Flat, California. The small coastal community doesn’t like Clay asking questions, especially when he also starts investigating a second case in the area.

The story has a deeply involved plot, fantastic worldbuilding, and a remarkable set of characters. The characters are well-defined and Clay’s character was especially dynamic as he responded to events and experienced changes in his outlook. His relationship with his wife and children added another layer of depth to his character. It seemed most of the individuals in the story had agendas. But who is prey and who is a predator?

The setting is incredible. This area is mostly natural and undeveloped with geotechnical challenges that only allows for a very rough, curvy, and steep road in and out of the community. The authors made the spectacular setting come to life, making this reader feel transported to the remote coastal community.

The story lived up to its potential with plenty of deceptions, secrets, and an action-packed ending. Additionally, the book did a great job of revealing the past events. An ever-present threat looming piqued my curiosity and kept me engaged. The evolving quest for answers and the suspenseful twists are sure to delight readers. My biggest quibble is that the pacing was slow in a couple of places in the middle.

Overall, this tense, exciting, and gripping book takes readers through unpredictable moments as the authors provide suspenseful twists in the intricate plot. It’s engaging with an unusual and strange set of characters and a complex plot in a great setting. If you enjoy mysteries, then this is a series to consider. I can’t wait to find out what is next for Clay. While this book can be read as a standalone novel, it contains spoilers if you plan to read the earlier novels.

Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine – Ballantine Books, Jonathan Kellerman, and Jesse Kellerman provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for August 06, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

It is the most confusing Clay Edison story. Cannot track it by time line... the years seem to be all mixed up, especially when it says 1 September 2024.... long ago I would read anything by Janathan Kellerman, but this one with his son... not the best. Maybe Mr. Jonathan did not even ready it??? I will still complete it, but feel sorry for main character Clay in this book how he has to be all the time under his wife's rules to message or call - really dangerous when he is undercover don't you think? Does not add to the story, makes it flimsy