Run From Nightmare by Maxine O'Callaghan

When Delilah gets offered a job to look for a missing adult daughter, she doesn't much want it.  She needs the money, though, and it would take her mind off her husband's death.  She accepts with no idea in mind about how ugly the case is going to become.

Brash Books sent me a copy of this book for review (thank you).  It has been published now so you can grab a copy on Amazon and at other sellers.

Nobody is real sure where Janet Valek went but her father wants her found.  Her little brother is very concerned about her.  Delilah goes to a desert town looking for her and meets an older blind lady who knows Janet.  She isn't saying much more than that, but now Delilah knows she's there somewhere.  Everyone she meets is hiding something.  She talks to an artist guy that Janet is supposed to be living with.  She's been there, but she's gone again.  Delilah is on the trail but she's just a bit too far behind. When the older lady and the artist both end up dead, she knows that someone definitely doesn't want her to find Janet.

This is written in old fashioned noir form.  It's not a pleasant tale, there's more than one scandal, and nobody is particularly nice.  Delilah does what she has to do to stay alive.  If you're looking for sweetness and light, you're looking in the wrong book.  Delilah does meet a guy that interests her but she's disappointed to see he already has a girlfriend.  Her luck isn't looking up yet, but she's back in the PI business and moving on strong.

I read and enjoyed the first story, this is the second and I have an anthology to read next.  I'm looking forward to it.  If you enjoy noir, you'll love this series.