I am a sucker for a debut author, and jumping into They Took It Inland by James Dawson felt like catching the first spark of what could turn into a really strong series. The first loop thrown at me was Zane Bruce losing his partner Paul Duncan very early in the story. No spoilers since it is in the blurb, but I am not a blurb reader, so it hit hard. Their banter and energy were perfect, and that sudden absence shifted the tone in a way that made me lean in and watch how Zane would carry the weight. Small details like nods to movies, actors, and even soft drinks made the characters feel lived in, flawed, and memorable. Then there is Zane and his dad, a relationship that is about five stages past complicated, and that ending had me sitting there thinking I am absolutely going to need more.


This is a gritty crime story where power protects its own and money decides who survives. Corruption, secrets, and influence run through every layer, but what really carries the book is the father and son dynamic on both sides of the law. Zane’s grief, his history, and the shadows tied to his family keep pushing him forward, while the quiet spark of a budding relationship with his superior adds another interesting thread without slowing the momentum. For a debut, this one swings big and sets the stage for something that could grow into a compelling series. I am already anxious to see where Dawson takes Zane next.