Sub-Rosa is a gripping whodunnit mystery that follows two women: one going rogue to clear her old mentor’s name and find his murderer, the other trying to survive in her new toxic work environment. While the story can be predictable at times, Sub-Rosa can’t be accused of taking itself too seriously. It embraces a campy approach to crime-solving by, for example, having a main character drop a pen at just the right moment to be out of sight, conveniently overhearing the villains being villainous without being noticed. The book is a treat right from the opening chapters, even before the major events teased in the marketing/synopsis of the book take place. My only real complaint, if you can call it that, is that the POV changes can be a bit jarring. It’s written in third-person limited (thankfully!), but sometimes the only indication of a switch in perspective is a small decorative break between paragraphs. Overall, I found the book charming and unpretentious. It’s fun, a bit cheeky, and features strong characters with a solid mystery at its core. The balance between romance and crime-solving shenanigans is just right, and the chemistry between the leads feels both tangible and believable. I really enjoyed this and would recommend it to anyone looking for a classic procedural cop novel with an amazing lesbian relationship at its heart!
