"Exciting amateur sleuth romance"
The body of Jennifer Madoc is found at the bottom of the
cliff near her home near Mendocino, California. The police
rule out murder and suicide, concluding the unfortunate
victim died in an accident though the heartless Jennifer
had hurt several people, including a sibling. A friend of
the late father Tom Furlough thinks a homicide occurred.
He worries about Cat, knowing that she will obstinately
make inquiries so Tom "orders" architect Derek Driscoll to
pose as a concerned neighbor, but to keep her safe Cat believes the self-centered Jennifer would never commit
suicide and knew the cliffs too well to fall accidentally.
She concludes her sister was murdered and she plans to
obtain justice though she rarely talked with her selfish
sibling. Though he leans towards the Sheriff Department's
position, Detective Frank Harris remains suspicious of
Jennifer's former lover Derek. Cat also wonders about
her "protector" who she is half in love with, but wonders
if he is the culprit she seeks? Fans of amateur sleuth romances will have no SHADOW OF
DOUBT that this terse thriller is a superb tale that has
cross genre appeal. The story line never slows down as Cat
struggles with conflicting feelings when it comes to Derek,
who appears like a modern day brooding gothic hero.
However, the key to Linda Morelli's strong novel is that
most of the cast seems multi-dimensional and had the motive
to kill Jennifer. This reviewer intends to obtain a copy
of Ms. Morelli's previous work, FIERY SURRENDER, after
spending a delightful couple of hours enjoying this winner. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted January 4, 2003
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