4 stars out of 5
When I started this book, I didn't realize it's the third in a series featuring Detective Dan Riley. And by the time I finished, I was bummed that I haven't read the other two. That's not because this one doesn't stand alone - it does just fine on that score, thank the author very much - but rather because I really like the character. Oh well - now I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
The story follows two abused women; Beth's suffering is largely psychological, bestowed by her cold, uncaring but wealthy husband and father of their young daughter. For love, she turns to an affair with a man who isn't shy about showing affection to her or her daughter. Catherine's abuse is both psychological and physical, the latter often turning so violent that she ends up in the hospital. In part because her husband threatens to kill her if she leaves - and in part because she has no clue what she would do even if she did - she stays in the marriage but fears the worst.
Ultimately, Beth tells her husband Evan that she's found a new love and wants a divorce; he shows little emotion even then, but there's a not-so-thinly-veiled threat that he'll use his money and power to discredit Beth and gain custody of their daughter (at the very least). Riley gets involved early on when the couple's nanny and Beth's dear friend Marta goes missing and Beth calls in the police.
Marta's disappearance remains a mystery that stymies the police, but then "things" happen to other key characters in both women's worlds that require further police investigation. The "aha" moment, if you will, comes when Beth and Catherine actually meet; at that point it's clear (or at least it was to me) how the story would progress. The only question is specifically how it will end for the two women. Of course, I won't divulge anything except to say there are a couple of twists.
Although a few parts seemed a bit repetitive and I've read variations on this plot before, overall this is an easy-to-read, fast-paced and attention-holding book. In fact, I was grateful for the holiday lull in regular TV programming that allowed me to finish the remaining quarter without stopping - simply because I couldn't wait to get to the end. Well done, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.
The Stranger's Wife by Anna-Lou Weatherley (Bookouture, January 2020); 294 pp.
4.5 stars out of 5
NOTE: Since my review was posted, the name of this book has been changed to Black Heart. Sorry for the confusion.
Getting in at the beginning of a new series always makes me happy and yes, optimistic. And when it turns out that it's a winner in my book (pun intended), I'm ecstatic. Already, I'm looking forward to reading the next book featuring London Detective Dan Riley.
For openers, he's an intriguing character. Two years before the book begins, his much-loved girlfriend and their unborn baby are killed in a car-motorcycle accident. He's back at work and functioning fairly well, although it's clear he's not even close to coming to terms with her loss (truthfully, he wallows in his grief a little more often than I'd have liked). But he's making progress, and when a man is found dead in the bathtub of a posh hotel room with his wrists cut, Dan goes in for a closer look and determines that the manner of death probably isn't suicide. When the subsequent pathology reports bear out his suspicion, Dan finds himself in the throes of a murder investigation.
Early clues, including a note signed "Daddy Bear" and a relatively expensive stuffed teddy bear suggest a sex-for-hire gone horribly wrong, but something makes Dan's nose start to twitch and think something even more evil may be at play. When another body is discovered - with the same M.O. right down to another teddy bear - it brings to Dan's mind the old fairy tale, "Goldilocks and the Three Bears." That, in turn, presents a problem that puts an even greater rush on finding the killer: If both Daddy Bear and Mama Bear are down for the count, can Baby Bear be far behind?
So, the race is on to keep that from happening. Chapters switch from Dan's perspective to that of the killer (readers learn the identity of the woman, who's known by multiple names including - surprise! - Goldilocks, early on). What she's doing is clear from the start; why she's doing it - and whether she'll be caught before she can add her intended finish to the fairy tale - help build suspense and tension right up to the end.
Overall, though, this is a very enjoyable, fast-paced book, and I applaud the author for creating an intriguing character who shows much promise for many more to come. For the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review, I heartily thank the publisher (via NetGalley).
Last Cry by Anna-Lou Weatherley (Bookouture, January 2018); 307 pp.
When I started this book, I didn't realize it's the third in a series featuring Detective Dan Riley. And by the time I finished, I was bummed that I haven't read the other two. That's not because this one doesn't stand alone - it does just fine on that score, thank the author very much - but rather because I really like the character. Oh well - now I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
