In this second installment in the Hanlon & de la Guerra Mystery Series, widower Thad Hanlon and his martial-arts-obsessed partner, Bri de la Guerra, hang out their shingle as newly licensed private investigators. Now in addition to fraud-busting, the two detectives do it all. Just about anything that requires sleuthing. Even finding lost souls.

All they need is a client.

That’s when a former exotic dancer from Bakersfield CA shows up looking for her surf prodigy son who’s gone missing in the wake of cult violence terrorizing the California Central Coast. Their assignment: Locate Moby Dudamel, aka the Bako Legend, before he becomes the next victim.

OCEANO BEACH BEDLAM picks up where the action left off in Topper Jones’ debut novel ALL THAT GLISTERS. Thaddeus Jude Hanlon and Abril (Bri) de la Guerra are rebuilding their lives. Thad as a single father. Bri as a twenty-something, getting in touch with her inner warrior. Parenthood and rage management. Not the easiest things to work through when getting a fledgling PI practice off the ground. Especially when the case they’re working on crosses over into their private lives.

What Critics Are Saying

“A crunchy detective novel set in the world of California surfers. Jones delivers a proper beach read, both in form and content.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Oceano Beach Bedlam is a must-read for lovers of gripping whodunnit novels. With succinct prose, Jones weaves an intriguing plot featuring a dynamic cast, vivid imagery, and dramatic scenes laced with robust humor. The edge-of-the-seat suspense and the spell-binding plot twists hooked me. It felt like I was watching a Hollywood mystery thriller.

“This is a terrific second installment in the series and a stand-alone read. I loved it. I’m on my way to get the other installments.” — Keith Mbuya, Readers’ Favorite Reviews 

“Thad Hanlon and his partner, Bri de la Guerra, are no ordinary private investigators. With the help of Thad’s toddler son, they solve cases in unconventional ways by relying on Zael’s innocent observations and keen intuition to uncover clues. In their latest investigation involving a missing surfer teenager named Moby, they discover disturbing truths and must race against time to unravel a sinister web of deception and confront their deepest fears.

“Oceano Beach Bedlam by Topper Jones features a thrilling plot that takes readers on a roller coaster of emotions infused with just the right amount of humor. This is a fantastic read, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys mystery thrillers.”— Doreen Chombu, Readers’ Favorite Reviews 

Reader Reviews

"Topper Jones delivers again! The second novel in the Thad Hanlon and Bri de la Guerra Mystery Series raises the stakes as this unlikely duo launches their private investigation firm. In Oceano Beach Bedlam, widowed Thad juggles single fatherhood with PI work, masking his grief behind humor, while firebrand Bri channels her loneliness into martial arts and an iron will. Their first case—a desperate search for an exotic dancer’s missing teenage son—tests their skills and resilience.

"Thad’s surfing background proves crucial, as does his young son, Zael, adding unexpected depth to the case. The novel thrives on the interplay of relationships—of father and son, and of the PI’s partnership in the trenches—elevating it beyond a standard mystery. Thad’s charm and ethical gravitas, reminiscent of Robert Parker’s Spenser and Robert Crais’ Elvis Cole, propel him into danger, while Bri’s relentless drive ensures they’ll prevail.

"With razor-sharp writing and a vividly drawn Pacific Coast setting, Oceano Beach Bedlam keeps you turning pages deep into the night. And when your day at the office drags, it’ll be there, bedside, waiting to pull you back into its irresistible world." — Dorothy Allred Solomon, award-winning author In My Father's House; Predators, Prey, and Other Kinfolk; and Finding Karen

“I love a good mystery book - and this book hit all of my buttons! Not only was it intriguing and dramatic, but it also took me on a fun ride. I enjoyed the local West Coast vibe and the subtleties of the adventure. Easy read - in several parts I couldn’t put the book down. Great book for my beach vacation!” — Patti Smith, author Unexpected Lessons from Professor Higgins

“If you enjoy reading captivating detective mysteries, this novel is guaranteed to win your seal of approval from the very first chapter. Topper Jones’ Oceano Beach Bedlam is an exciting mystery thriller that unfolds like a CSI episode. It is engaging, full of plot twists, and will keep readers on the edge of their seats as they try to anticipate what will happen next. This book is plot-driven, with an intricate storyline maneuvered by intriguing characters.

“I completely adored the interplay between the two detectives, Thad Hanlon and Bri de la Guerra. Their humorous and connected friendship/coworker dynamic intensifies their character development and adds color and contrast to the story. The plot is constantly on the move, and the writing is superb. I highly recommend this novel to mystery and thriller fans.” — M. Cummings

"I picked up Oceano Beach Bedlam on a whim and ended up canceling my weekend plans to finish it. That should tell you everything you need to know. The book hooked me immediately with its unique blend of crime, surf culture, and sharp dialogue.

"Bri is my new favorite fictional detective. Thad plays the perfect foil smart, observant, and grounded, with just enough edge to make him unpredictable. Their chemistry and teamwork make the investigation thrilling and engaging.

"The case they tackle is intriguing, but it’s the characters and the voice of the story that make it unforgettable. A fantastic blend of light-hearted sleuthing, serious themes, and unforgettable scenes. I’m already looking forward to what’s next for these two."
 —Brandon Doris

“Maybe if Central California coast-based Private Investigator partners Hanlon & de la Guerra remembered the admonishment of being careful what you wish for before accepting an ex-pole dancer searching for her missing surf champion teenage son as a client, life as the two gumshoes knew it would not have exploded.

Book Excerpt

Inside the beach groomer hopper, atop the wire mesh conveyor belt used to sift sand and trap debris, were more body parts, bloated and reeking of decomposition. Looked to be the body of an older teen. The tattoo on the youth’s neck gave me pause.

“You recognize him, don’t you?” Bri, my detecting agency partner, asked.

I did.

I had seen the young man a day ago outside Surf’s Up Donuts, the local hangout for post-surf session nutrition. He was in handcuffs with a couple of his BVL 13 homies. Pismo Beach PD had rousted the Bakersfield Varrio Locos 13 gang members in a weapons search and had not come up empty. NeckTat didn’t look happy then. Someone had made sure he would not look happy ever again.

The crowd of gawkers surrounding the tractor retreated somewhat—inches instead of feet—as State Park Ranger Cody Bolton pulled up in his patrol vehicle. He left his SUV siren screaming, hopped out of the 4x4, and handed me a roll of yellow police tape.

“Hanlon,” he said, “help me secure the crime scene.” From the cargo hold of his sport utility, he took a stack of orange traffic cones and ringed the tractor and the sand equipment. I stretched the barricade tape around the cones to form an oblong perimeter.

My surf buddy, Ranger Cody, took the DO NOT CROSS tape from me and tossed it into the back of his SUV. “Now we wait for Five Cities Forensics.” He killed the siren but left his patrol lights flashing.

The forensic team did their thing. The investigators took a lot of photos of the victim’s body, especially the ear-to-ear cut to the gang member’s neck, just above his BVL 13 tattoo.

As the techs put away their gear, Ranger Cody instructed me to head over to the Five Cities Sheriff’s South Station off Cabrillo Highway in Oceano to give a formal statement.

Detective Naiya Ygnacio was waiting for me at the Station House entrance. She ushered me into the interview room, directed me to sit, and queued the audio by verbally confirming the date, time, location, and persons present. “Hanlon,” she continued, “for the record, state your full name and profession.”

“Come on, Naiya. Is this necessary?”

The detective shoved the digital recorder across the interrogation room table. A red LED glowed. “Talk,” she said.

“Thaddeus Jude Hanlon, Private Investigator. My clients refer to me as the patron saint of lost causes.”

“Cut the nonsense, Hanlon. You don’t have any clients. And for the record, no one in Five Cities thinks you’re funny.”

“Zael thinks I’m funny.”

“Three-year-olds don’t count.”

I wasn’t feeling the respect fellow crime fighter’s warrant. But then, again, Naiya was being bleakly honest. I really didn’t have any clients. And nothing in the development pipeline.