This author is one of my very faves and I have read many of her novels. This was another fast-paced thriller and I really did enjoy the plot although it became a bit "dark".
STORY SUMMARY
Robin is a mental health therapist living and working in San Francisco. Her brother Alec lives and works in L.A. Their older sister, Melanie, is a single mom who still lives in their hometown of Red Bluff, northern California. Melanie has a teenage boy on the autism spectrum named Landon.
Robin hasn't seen nor talked to her sister in over 5 years. Melanie has always been a very jealous and angry sister. She actually hurt Robin when Robin was just a toddler! Melanie has constantly engaged in "put downs' when it comes to Robin and Greg (their father) has been verbally abusive to their brother. They were raised in a very dysfunctional family. Their mother died several years ago of brain cancer.
One day, Robin gets a voice mail message from Melanie, telling her that their father, Greg Davis and his 2nd wife Tara have been shot! Tara's daughter Cassidy, age 12, was also shot. Greg is lying in a coma with breathing tubes and Tara has passed away. Cassidy is also in a coma but expected to live. Greg's injuries are very severe and it doesn't look like he will make it. Robin is shocked. She hasn't talked nor seen her father since he married her best childhood friend Tara. Tara's daughter is from Tara's first marriage (to Dylan Campbell) but that marriage ended in divorce due to Dylan being an abusive husband. In fact, he has spent most of Cassidy's young life in prison and doesn't know his own daughter.
It has been more than 5 years since Robin has spoken to her father. Even after all this time, there is much bitterness.
Robin must return to the family she fled. She informs her fiance, Blake, that she has to leave San Francisco and head north.
Robin tries to help the local detectives figure out just what happened to Tara and Greg. She begins to "mend the fences" with Melanie while their father clings to life. Robin begins to wonder just exactly what happened...was it really a "home invasion" gone wrong or did someone close to the family shoot and kill? Who could kill a 12 year old little girl??
Greg and Tara have secrets and Cassidy is not all that she pretends to be.
What really happened to this family?
MY THOUGHTS
Wow...this was very fast-paced and intriguing.
The character development was pretty good and the plot is brilliant. Just when you think you have everything figured out, the author pulls a new idea and wham......the plot thickens and you begin to wonder...which daughter is bad??
This book touches on the concept of nature vs. nurture.
It also touches on forgiveness, family relationships, blended families, and mercy.
In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 17 and older (due to mature content and language).
On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 9.
2 comments:
This looks interesting...I'll add it to my reading list ;)
I've been into the murder/mysteries lately!
This sounds very interesting. Nature vs nuture being dealt with in a novel is not something I've come across too often, so I'm intrigued. Going on my library list.
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