Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

Play It In Between by J. Sydney Jones follows Deputy Max Byrns investigating the suspicious death of Captain Edwin Williams, a white officer found dead near the beach. Williams had been probing Axis sympathizers, and his death appears to be a murder. Byrns interviews multiple individuals, including Bobby Boyd, a mentally challenged local who may have witnessed the dumping of the body, and Matthias Czerny, a missing Austrian émigré with a mysterious past. Byrns discovers that Williams had been secretly passing as white, and his father calls a bluff on the military's accidental death claim. Byrns looks into what he suspects are military cover-ups, inconsistent alibis, and a group of people who may or may not be involved. Byrns seeks to unravel the complicated relationships between Williams, Czerny, and others, hoping to find the truth while contending with resistance from both local law enforcement and military authorities.

Play It In Between: A Byrns on the Homefront Novel by J. Sydney Jones is a tightly wound historical mystery, brilliantly mixing an eclectic cast of characters, espionage, and a slice of Hollywood intrigue. The writing is sharp, keeping readers hooked with well-paced twists and turns that continually subvert expectations. Elizabeth is my absolute favorite, a standout as a woman ahead of her time, clear in her personal agency, intelligence, and determination as she juggles aiding in the investigation and her unique private life. There is a murder on a Hollywood film set that is so much more than a simple case of a prop gone wrong, and Jones cleverly inserts a red herring or three in blackmail and betrayal, elevating the mystery to something even greater. The book’s strength lies in how it continues to build steam, making each new revelation feel earned. With a well-developed cast and a plot that keeps readers guessing, this is a satisfying and unpredictable read for mystery fans.