This is absolutely a GREAT HIT!
Well, the best thing about reading mind blowing page turner book is getting two different story lines at the same time! At the moment both of the mysteries are intercepted you learn to respect the creative mind of the author who juggles both mysteries over her head adroitly by playing enigmatic, complex mind games with us!
I am great fan of the author’s Rory Moore/Lane Philips’ series I highly recommend you to read. This standalone thriller is great tribute to the victims of 9/11 and I wished it could have published at the very same day!
We have two plot holes: one is about twenty years old unsolved cold case’ investigation which picked interest of successful tv journalist Avery Mason who is the host of highly rated TV true crime show : “American Events” . She was dragged into the captivating story when she found out a 9/11 victim’s DNA was identified by medical examiner. But this victim was not an ordinary woman. She’s Victoria Ford who has been accused to kill her bestseller novel author lover who has found hanged from his balcony.
Especially the opening scene of the book at the mansion located in Catskill Mountains where they found the naked body was blood freezing just like the scene we witnessed Victoria’s last conversation with her lawyer in Twin Towers: audible vibration, office’s rocking and swaying, explosions, shattering glasses, rising black smoke: I don’t know which chapter is scarier!
Now Avery flies to NY to meet and chat with Victoria’s sixty years old sister Emma. Their deep talk accompanied with chilled Chardonnay bring out the secrets, resulting Emma share the last voice messages of Victoria scream her innocence and beg her sister to find a way to exonerate her! Well Avery is already hooked! This is definitely juicy, intriguing crime story she’s dying to dig deeper!
Other plot line is about Avery Mason’ s secret identity. Her real name is Claire Montgomery! Her father Garth was indicted for one of the largest Ponzi schemes of American history, named as Thief of Manhattan! It seemed like $30 billion had been fraudulently obtained and squandered on Garth Montgomery’s jet-setting life style! After truth has come out, Garth has vanished into thin air. And Avery has dealt with lots of tragedy including her mother and brother’s deaths, public humiliations which forced her to change her name and left the life behind!
Now her father is trying to contact her via postcards which alarmed FBI and that’s where reluctantly retired FBI agent Walt Jenkins is reassigned to connect with her to follow each step she takes and report it to the office. He was the agent who has investigated Victoria Ford’s case and their teaming up help Avery to learn more about the investigation.
But when they mix business with pleasure, Walt finds himself at the dangerous position: could he betray the woman he has feelings for?
And as long as they dig deeper, they start to find interesting facts about Cameron’s murder! Could someone hurt him instead of Victoria? Could Victoria be a victim just like him?
Overall: even though the book was a little too long, I never got bored! The characterization was perfect just like other works of the author! The final twists especially the last one reminded me of Usual Suspects’ jaw dropping ending!
Of course I’m giving five full action packed, head spinning, earth shattering, such a wild ride stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.