In Pismo Beach Sniper, Topper Jones starts the story with a shocking act of violence that instantly turns a surf competition into a nightmare. Thad Hanlon is seated in the spectator section of the California Central Coast Surf Trials when he hears the first shot. Three young surfers from the Pismo team are shot. Among the victims is Thad’s son, Zael, and Thad is determined that Zael will never be a target again. The Pismo team must continue their training for the finals, so Thad’s business partner, Bri, suggested hiring bodyguards. Another surf-related sniper attack occurs on the California Coast, and someone close to Thad is murdered. The shooting incidents grow darker and more complicated. Someone from Thad and Bri’s past may be part of this revenge plot to force them to confront their past.

Topper Jones had me hooked from the start with Pismo Beach Sniper. The action started on the first page and never stopped until the end. The story was fast-paced but gave me enough time to process every event thoroughly. The characters had flaws and were easy to relate to. The themes of revenge, trauma, and accountability were handled with extreme care. The writing was engaging, and every event was easy to visualize with the vivid descriptions. I had a hard time putting the book down; there was just too much that I could miss. The narrative was brilliantly written and held my attention throughout. I enjoyed reading this book, and it was so much more than I expected. The ending was fitting after all the trauma in the story.

Pismo Beach Sniper by Topper Jones is Book Three in the Thad Hanlon/Bri de la Guerra Mystery series. This mystery thriller begins with a sniper opening fire on young surfers competing in the California Central Coast Surf Trials. This sends shockwaves throughout the Pismo Beach surf community. Multiple children in the competition are injured, including Zael, the son of private investigator Thad Hanlon. This shocking act of violence soon evolves into an even bigger mystery. There are possible cover-ups, including a suspicious hotel fire, contaminated ammunition, and possibly one of the victims unknowingly recording a crucial clue on GoPro footage. As the surviving surfers struggle to recover, they are determined to reach the West Coast Finals despite the surrounding dangers.

What was impressive about Pismo Beach Sniper was how Topper Jones balanced suspense and strong emotional stakes. The sniper mystery captured my attention, but I also liked the relationships between the characters. I could vividly picture Thad’s desperate attempt to revive Zael in the water after the shooting. Even the hospital scene was powerful, especially as Zael struggled with the physical and psychological effects after the attack. Every scene and sequence was impactful. I felt the love from the community as Sebastian fought for his life with his infected wound from the shooting. The way Jones used surfing as a unique backdrop in a close-knit coastal community gave the entire story an extra pulse. The characters were all relatable. Coach Gev was the steady, compassionate mentor. Detective Ygnacio brought professional expertise to the investigation. Readers who enjoyed Laura Dave’s The Last Thing He Told Me would appreciate Pismo Beach Sniper.