What Happens in Paradise

In What Happens in Paradise, Hilderbrand explores the gap between the objective facts of Russ’s infidelity, deception, and criminal activity, and the private, emotional reality of his love for Rosie and Maia, and his internal moral struggle with his professional life. Throughout Hilderbrand’s series, Irene, her sons, Ayers, Maia, and Huck all grapple with the disconnect between their love for and experience of Russ and Rosie as people and their morally questionable actions and criminal complicity. The biggest obstacle to bridging this gap is that Russ and Rosie are dead and no longer able to explain themselves. Through the device of Rosie’s private journals, Hilderbrand gives voice to Rosie’s side of the story, revealing the private history of their romance and the moral angst they both suffered over the secrecy of their affair and the illegality of Russ’s business dealings.

In this novel, Irene’s arc sees her moving from avoidance of Russ’s death and criminal enterprises to an acceptance of the complex reality of life and relationships, integrating Russ’s love and care with his flaws and behavior. What Happens in Paradise picks up from the previous novel’s cliffhanger ending, in which Agent Vasco reveals that the FBI suspects foul play in Russ and Rosie’s death, suggesting that Russ’s business involved illegal activity.