Book Review: Empty Boxes by Robin Acton

Empty Boxes by Robin Acton delivers a tightly paced mystery rooted in the grit and shadows of Pittsburgh’s underbelly. When crime reporter Rita Locke begins investigating the murder of a funeral director, she doesn’t expect to find empty coffins—or uncover a far-reaching conspiracy that stretches far beyond western Pennsylvania. What starts as a local crime quickly expands into an international web of danger, deception, and medical intrigue that leads her all the way to a Caribbean offshore school…and eventually into a box of her own, fighting for breath and answers.

This was my first Robin Acton novel, and I genuinely enjoyed it. The mystery is easy to follow without ever feeling simplistic, and the plot moves at a satisfying pace that keeps you turning pages. Rita Locke is a grounded, engaging protagonist—persistent enough to keep digging, flawed enough to feel real, and interesting enough to carry the story from Pittsburgh to the Caribbean and back again.

The supporting characters and shifting settings add just enough texture to keep you invested, while the overarching scheme Rita uncovers brings a fresh twist to the crime-reporter-in-over-her-head trope. Acton’s writing style is clean and accessible, making this a great pick for readers who want a straightforward but suspenseful thriller.

If you’re looking for a mystery that blends local crime with international stakes—and you enjoy strong female leads who get in deeper than they ever intended—Empty Boxes is worth the read. A solid, intriguing novel that left me curious to try more from Acton.