Soldiers of Fortune

I’ll admit, I approached *Soldiers of Fortune* skeptical of yet another ‘fish-out-of-water solves crimes’ setup, but Jana DeLeon won me over in the first chapter. The premise—a disgraced CIA agent stuck in a town where the biggest threat *should* be the alligator in the mayor’s office—could veer into cartoonishness, but DeLeon grounds it with sharp social commentary and a protagonist who’s as flawed as she is capable. Fortune Redding isn’t just solving crimes; she’s navigating a minefield of Southern manners, backstabbing politicians, and her own past mistakes. The mystery itself is solid, with red herrings that feel organic rather than forced, but the real joy is in the character dynamics. The banter between Fortune and the town’s geriatric busybody, Ida Belle, is worth the price of admission alone. Cassandra Campbell’s narration elevates the material significantly. Her Fortune is a perfect blend of exhaustion and dry humor, like a woman who’s seen too much but still can’t look away from the train wreck. The supporting cast gets distinct voices—particularly the mayor, whose simpering incompetence Campbell delivers with *just* the right note of smugness. My only critique? The audio production occasionally suffers from slight volume inconsistencies during dialogue-heavy scenes, which can be jarring if you’re listening at higher speeds. And while the ending ties up neatly, one subplot involving a minor character feels rushed, as if DeLeon got distracted by a shinier thread. Still, these are quibbles. For fans of cozies with teeth—or anyone who’s ever wanted to watch a capable woman outmaneuver idiots—this is a standout. Just don’t listen while drinking coffee; you *will* snort-laugh.