A Bad Day for Sunshine

A Novel

By: Darynda Jones

Narrated by: Lorelei King

“This suspenseful and witty first novel in a new series is a perfect match for narrator Lorelei King." (Booklist)

"Narrator Lorelei King works well with the subtly snarky style of author Darynda Jones...Listeners will look forward to the next installment of this new series, as some mysteries are solved, and others remain." (AudioFile Magazine)

New York Times best-selling author Darynda Jones is back with the first novel in the brand-new snarky, sassy, wickedly fun Sunshine Vicram series - A Bad Day for Sunshine!

Sheriff Sunshine Vicram finds her cup o’ joe more than half full when the small village of Del Sol, New Mexico, becomes the center of national attention for a kidnapper on the loose.

Del Sol, New Mexico is known for three things: its fry-an-egg-on-the-cement summers, strong cups of coffee - and, now, a nationwide manhunt? Del Sol native Sunshine Vicram has returned to town as the elected sheriff - thanks to her adorably meddlesome parents who nominated her - and she expects her biggest crime wave to involve an elderly flasher named Doug. But a teenage girl is missing, a kidnapper is on the loose, and all of this is reminding Sunshine why she left Del Sol in the first place. Add to that the trouble at her daughter’s new school, plus and a kidnapped prized rooster named Puff Daddy, and, well, the forecast looks anything but sunny.

But even clouds have their silver linings. This one's got Levi, Sunshine's sexy, almost-old-flame, and a fiery-hot US Marshal.

With temperatures rising everywhere she turns, Del Sol's normally cool-minded sheriff is finding herself knee-deep in drama and danger. Can Sunshine face the call of duty - and find the kidnapper who's terrorizing her beloved hometown - without falling head over high heels in love...or worse?

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press

"Laugh-out-loud funny, intensely suspenseful, page-turning fun." (New York Times best-selling author Allison Brennan)

"A Bad Day For Sunshine is a great day for the rest of us." (New York Times best-selling author Lee Child)

©2020 Darynda Jones (P)2020 Macmillan Audio

Darynda Jones delivers!!

I thought all the plots had been taken but this story is so unique. It is full of twists and turns and you don’t want to put it down. It is not dark humor but snarky irreverence. I can’t wait for the next book.

What would Lisbeth Salander Do?

The start of a great new series. Quirky characters, plots, and quips. Mom Sunshine is a cop who interacts with her teenage daughter Ari like they’re Chelsea Handler best friends; their banter and their love have that black coffee bite, straight up, no sugar. There’s a big mystery in this cop procedural involving a missing girl. Then there’s a couple of mini mysteries involving a missing chicken, a fugitive, and a past abduction. The big mystery is solved, but some of the mini mysteries are left for future books.

Mild trigger warning for rape and child abuse (indirectly referenced), smattering of F bombs, and one explicit sex scene. This provides an entertaining listen... unless you’ve heard the author’s Charlie Davidson series... in which case the similarities diminish this story a tad with a fair touch of deja vu.

Things in common with C Davidson series:
📍Fun coffee mug (or here, police booking) quips starting chapters
📍Strong female lead connected to law enforcement with a penchant for Buffy-esque quotes
📍Sexy, mysterious Latino loner, known since childhood
📍Relatives of lead that keep secrets from lead
📍Bonds of family, friendship, and humor
📍Amazing narrator Lorelei King

Well, come to think of it, the similarities to the other series I love make this one a series I’ll also love. And there are marked differences, including this being a mundane world without the grim reapers, angels, and demons of the Davidson series and the welcome addition of Sunshine’s teenage daughter. I may even like this one better, because it seems sunnier and less likely to bog down in a big “destined to play a part in Armageddon drama” story arc that had me passing on the later books in the other series. All in all, worth my credit, even if this plays by the Darynda Jones formula playbook.

Holy Crap!

i didn't think i was going to enjoy this as much as the Charley Davidson books, but man was i wrong! Sun and Ari are a dream team! The setting and little nuggets given out throughout the book were fantastic. It's very difficult to review without giving away too much, but all you need to know is that it's very much worthy as a follow up series!

Fantastic listen

Outstanding narration. I absolutely love Lorelei King.
Darynda Jones as usual gives us another fantastic story. I’m hoping that there is another one to come soon. TOTALLY worth it.

another 5 star

Can't wait for the next book in the story. Just a great listen!!! thank you so much.

love it

I have loved every story she writes. The witty sarcasm is hilarious. Totally worth it!

Sunshine is definitely sunshine!

Love, love, love this book. It's quirky, touching, funny and had me not only guessing but SURPRISED at who done it. I've listened to it twice in a week. Narration was PERFECT. Only downside was when it's over.

Not bad

Nice and snarky. And I liked the little reference to Charlie Davidson. I’ll get the next when (if) it comes out.

Fantastic waiting for the next.

This in some ways like her other books, but that made it fascinating. The characters were perfect. I look forward to the next chapter!

It’s a winner!!!

I read all of her other books and could not wait for this new story to come out. It did not disappoint. The characters are so lovable and Lorelei King was fantastic!!! I can’t wait for the second book in this trilogy to come out.