Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Paint an Inch Thick by Adam Dompierre is the first book in the Eddie London Mystery series. Eddie can’t shake the feeling that he may be Summerport’s worst detective though surely in such a big city, someone has to be worse. When he receives a job to track down a woman’s husband after he disappeared, he sees it as an opportunity to rise above the low-stakes cases that have currently kept his business afloat. His first step is to go undercover where the missing man worked: Manticore Cooperative. He uses his charm to work his way through suspects and get to know the head of the company. This leads him to surprising conclusions such as how his victim connects to a dive bar and a cult running a wilderness compound. With help from his closest allies, can he solve the case, reunite a husband and wife before it's too late, and boost his career?

Eddie is a fun character as he’s quick-witted with observational skills that come in handy when sleuthing. The writing is character-focused with Eddie's observations driving the investigation and drawing your attention to important elements. Adam Dompierre has a knack for incorporating humor and whether it's through Eddie’s snarky outlook or clever word choices, this creates a fun read. The mystery has multiple layers, from the search for a missing husband to a scamming cooperative to a cult. You never know what to expect, which is perfect for making you keep turning the pages to see what’s going to happen. Suspense is felt through a time crunch, which means that every thread of the plot needs to be woven together carefully. Dompierre does this successfully by creating situations that Eddie gets himself into while undercover and makes you eager to see where this story will go next. This is a lovely start to the series. The humor and suspense in Paint an Inch Thick are nicely blended into a charming mystery that includes car chases, clever dialogue, and engaging characters.