Montecito

A Novel

De: Michael Cox

Narrado por: Jamie Renell

"A gripping crime drama … an engrossing story … a marvelously entertaining suspense tale. OUR VERDICT: GET IT."–Kirkus Reviews (Critical Recommendation)

"Anyone interested in a compelling character-driven mystery will devour this story. It's unlike any crime novel I've read before but is no less gripping for it."–Independent Book Review (Starred Review)

Montecito: Where having it all sometimes means having the most to hide.

For a smart guy, Hollis Crawford has certainly fouled things up. He planted his family in California's wealthiest town, backed his wife's transition from high-powered public relations partner to non-profit volunteer, and then got fired—not once, not twice, but three times. Now, with his savings drained and his prospects dwindling, Hollis is desperate for one last chance to keep his family afloat.

Which is why the mysterious Wimby family—Montecito's latest imported millionaires—seem heaven sent. Towering Cyrus Wimby commands a sprawling mansion, a winery, and a stunning wife as pedigreed as his stable of horses—a life of wealth and privilege. But Cyrus has his eyes on a bigger prize. To get it, he will need help. The help of someone hungry. Someone desperate. Someone like Hollis.

It's a chance for Hollis to save his career, his marriage, and his family. All he has to do is say yes …

©2026 Michael Cox (P)2026 Michael Cox

A thrill ride by the sea

Fish-out-of-water story? Yes, you could say that and be right. But perhaps more aptly put, Montecito is a compelling shark-under-the-calm-surface tale – one that tastes of equal parts adrenaline and equal parts suburban minutia, all served in the too-golden-to-be-true California hamlet by the sea. And that unlikely alchemy delivers most stylishly in one delicious and fantastical, yet somehow believably smooth, concoction that just might have been shaken (not stirred) by the guy next door. In Montecito, the guy next door happens to be affable Hollis Crawford, someone you root for from page 1.

With true crime inspiration, Montecito proves to be a strange and oftentimes startling microscope into the comedy and tragedy that is everyday middle-aged life and how small and ridiculous moments collide to create a destiny one couldn’t vint in a bottle if they tried. Throughout, I found myself asking, "How could this really happen to someone?" And by the next page, I would gasp: "This could totally happen to me." I saw myself in this story – from its dusty nooks and crannies to its quaint cafes and outlandish dinner parties. The author hangs a fog of absurdity atop the unsexy familiar and reveals what can happen when the life of the ordinary crashes into the life of overabundance and greed. Montecito is where the mundane meets the urbane in a most thrilling fashion.


I liken the feeling I got reading this novel to the very first John Grisham book I cracked open back in the 90s. Fresh but familiar, yet I have no idea what’s going to happen next -- all rolled into one glorious setting. And speaking of setting, don’t get it wrong. The community of Montecito isn’t just a setting, she has main character energy. Her lush, lavish and luxurious aura drenches this story in an incandescent light that sometimes comforts and sometimes blinds. Either way, adventure awaits. I cannot wait to see what Michael Cox writes next.

Stellar performance of a great story.

Montecito is a wealthy town in California. Hollis and his family can barely afford to live there when he loses his job. While floundering for another job, he stumbles (literally) into Cyrus Wimby—an impressive man in looks and accolades. Hollis is given a hail mary at Cyrus’s new business and jumps in as CEO of a trading company.

Unfortunately for Hollis and his family, everything is not as it seems with Cyrus, his family, or his company.

Hollis was a super fun character—goofy, with realistic flaws and focused skills. His voice reminds me a bit of a John Grisham character—self-deprecating and highly sarcastic. (His “Gar-office” never ceased to make me laugh.) Hollis is set up so perfectly that when everything in his job starts going haywire, you believe why he won’t tell someone. I kept wanting to shake him into telling anyone, even his wife, about all the discrepancies he was finding, and yet, I also totally understood why he held out.

I listened to the audiobook on Audible, and the production was amazing! The narrator, Jamie Renell, kept the pace going, had great voices and accents for the characters, and matched my idea of Hollis perfectly. I am very opinionated about audiobooks, but this one has made a top spot on my audiobook list. It was a stellar performance of a great story.

Even though I finished it a few days ago, it’s been living on in my head—a sign of a really good book.

Excellent vocal performance brings this great novel to life

Montecito is already a gripping, twisty suspense novel, but the audiobook version takes it to another level. The narration is excellent — the narrator gives each character a distinct voice, which makes it so easy to stay immersed in the story even during scenes with a lot of dialogue. You can hear the charisma and menace in Cyrus Wimby, the quiet desperation in Hollis Crawford, and it adds a whole layer of tension that pulled me through the story even faster than I expected.

I highly recommend for anyone who loves a smart suspense story with real moral stakes, especially if you’re a fan of great vocal audiobooks!

Paige Turner

Montecito was an enjoyable read, It was fun recognizing familiar places and seeing the local details brought to life. The characters and story line kept me turning the pages, and I found myself wanting to see what happened next. I’ve already recommended to a number of friends.

Great Story and Inspired by a True One

Well written. Good narrator. Particularly fun if you are familiar with the Santa Barbara and Montecito area.