★★★★ @helenkaydimon @edelweiss_squad #suspense #bookreview
@avonbooks
Looking for a multilayered suspense that will keep you guessing? Check out this new series by Ms. Dimon. On Whitaker Island, people like to know about each other's business yet they still want to go there to avoid people. It is sort of an island of misanthropes who have been burned. At every turn, it seems that from the small politician to law enforcement to handyman, each of them have a secret they want hidden. This is perfect for Tessa Jenkins who wants to disappear for a while. Mostly to lick her wounds and try to figure out what to do next with her life. When she meets Hansen Rye, her fresh start ends up getting tangled with both his and her past.
This book is more suspense rather than romance which I enjoyed. For those who enjoy scandals, betrayals, murder and blackmail, this story has it all. And for two people who want to avoid scandals at all cost, poor Tessa and Hansen are smack dab in the middle of it. One could postulate that the two of them brought this nasty bit of business with them to a quiet and sleepy town. The whodunnit mystery keeps a reader guessing. Ms. Dimon does a nice job of setting up several storylines and tying them together. This makes a more interesting novel because just as a reader thinks they figured out what is going on, a new wrinkle appears. It keeps my mind stimulated and wanting to know what new clue will appear. I like being kept on my toes and trying to figure out who the bad guy is. The longer it takes me to figure it out, the more enjoyable the suspense is for me. Ms. Dimon threw me off a couple of times and I liked it.
From a character development perspective, I liked both Tessa and Hansen. They are relate-able and easy to understand. They are everyday people who have been dealt a bad hand. The fact that they are taking time to come to grips with it and recover is admirable. Many would have crumbled. The way they pull together and grow from this experience is nice to see. Makes me hope to see them appear in another book in this series. I am hoping this is a series that continues for a while. I like this little town. Although, frankly how crazy can a small town get? There are only so many people. One of the people who intrigue me greatly is the one who is the silent owner of the land. I hope to find that out sooner rather than later.
This suspense is recommended to readers who enjoy complicated situations untangled by a spunky female lead and a grouchy male partner.
*provided by Edelweiss
