Domestic Thrilled published by William Morrow Paperbacks 29 Dec 20
Sometimes I’m a bit fearful when a favorite author begins to write in a different genre under a pseudonym. There’s just enough tweaking differences to make those new books just not as great as what we’re used to from them. So I had a bit of trepidation when I learned Darby Kane is one of my all-time favorites, HelenKay Dimon, author extraordinaire. Ms. Dimon writes romantic and contemporary suspense so well, you can’t put those books down. Would I like this new book, a thriller with no romance? Well, there was only one way to find out.
I read it. Yep, I sure did. And I had the darnedest time turning my e-reader off at a decent hour of the night. Thank the heavens! So needless to say, Ms. Dimon/Kane surprised the ever-lovin’ stuffin’ out of me – so much so I can’t wait for her next thriller.
Lila Ridgefield has just discovered some horrible information about her husband. Her missing husband. Little by little we learn this info is too much for Lila and she’s the one who decided to step up to the plate and extinguish the asshole jerk and his tendencies. But suddenly the tables are turned on Lila and she’s not sure what the hell is going on – is Aaron dead? Why wasn’t he found where she left him? And so many more questions. She’s one cool cookie, however. She keeps her wits about her – she’s an attorney and has pretty much seen it all – and you have to admire the heck out of her as se faces another cool cookie, Ginny, the police detective on the case. As much as Ginny suspects things are not on the up-and-up with Lila, there’s no evidence so far to prove she had anything to do with her husband’s disappearance.
A terrific cat-and-mouse game ensues, Lila and Ginny trying to figure out what in the world happened to Aaron but from opposite sides of the fence. There’s also the school principal where Aaron worked, as well as Aaron’s brother, who staunchly support Lila as the case progresses. On top of that, someone out there does know the truth because Lila begins to receive notes about Aaron, letting Lila know this somebody has taken care of her carelessness in trying to rid the world of her husband. I also have to give a nod to Ginny’s partner, who is a bit greener than Ginny when it comes to investigating, but he adds a nice layer to the whole mystery.
This is not your normal thriller where you’ll guess right at every clue along the way. Ms. Kane keeps you on the edge of your seat, biting your nails, refusing to sleep, and never figuring out what happened until the very end. Twists and turns have never kept me on a back-and-forth path like this in all my reading years. If you’ve been having a difficult time lately finding a good book, pick this one up. Now!! I can guarantee you’ll be hooked right off the bat and won’t experience one moment of boredom.
There is another book, The Replacement Wife, scheduled next, but unfortunately that’s way down the road. However, you can bet I’m going to be first in line to get my copy when the time comes. As usual, Ms. Dimon/Kane is not letting me down in her work one bit. I should have known better.
Grade: A+
Summary:
Lila Ridgefield lives in an idyllic college town, but not everything is what it seems. Lila isn’t what she seems.
A student vanished months ago. Now, Lila’s husband, Aaron, is also missing. At first these cases are treated as horrible coincidences until it’s discovered the student is really the third of three unexplained disappearances over the last few years. The police are desperate to find the connection, if there even is one. Little do they know they might be stumbling over only part of the truth….With the small town in an uproar, everyone is worried about the whereabouts of their beloved high school teacher. Everyone except Lila, his wife. She’s definitely confused about her missing husband but only because she was the last person to see his body, and now it’s gone.
Read an excerpt.
