Detective Karen Skaryd has twenty-five years on the job and twenty-five years of marriage, and she is spending the anniversary of the second one at a resort in Punta Cana with her husband Brock.
Then a guest turns up dead, and the scene has been arranged. A verse from scripture. Something taken from the body and kept. By the time the local police have finished dismissing it, there is a second one.
A former FBI agent on a beach with no badge and no jurisdiction, Karen is the only person on the island reading the pattern for what it is: someone is working through the Ten Commandments, and he is not close to finished.
Praise
★★★★★
“Death in Utopia by Phillip Vega had me hooked from start to finish. There was so much happening that I could not turn the pages fast enough… The tension increased as Karen started to put the pieces together. The writing was engaging, and the chapters flowed seamlessly into each other. The book was expertly written and held my attention throughout.”
Alma Boucher, Readers’ Favorite
★★★★★
“Vega’s writing is clean and immersive, offering just enough detail to unsettle readers without relying on graphic violence... The setting feels alive, the characters feel real, and the unfolding conspiracy adds a layer of depth that keeps the reader fully invested. Fans of fast-paced mysteries and serial-killer fiction will find this book gripping from start to finish.”
Anne-Marie Reynolds, Readers’ Favorite
★★★★☆
“Throughout the book, we are unsure who to trust, which heightens the tension. The ending was also a surprise and a little different from many books in the genre. Perfect for a beach read or on a cold winter’s night by the fire.”
Lucinda E Clarke, Readers’ Favorite
“A tropical whodunit with biblical chills and a compelling detective… the mounting suspense and layered conspiracy keep the pages turning. Procedural fans with a taste for classic mysteries should take note.”
The Prairies Book Review
“Death in Utopia is a strong first book in a mystery-thriller series that is sure to keep fans returning. Phillip Vega is skilled at weaving a complex web of intrigue. For lovers of detective stories, Karen Skaryd proves to be a compelling protagonist.”
The Book Review Directory
Awards & Honors
- 2025 Chanticleer CLUE Awards: Short List, Suspense and Thriller Fiction
