Veena’s review of Family Sins by Sharon Sala
Romantic Suspense published by Mira 25 Oct 16

This is an excellently written, well-paced thriller. When Stanton Youngblood is shot from behind, he leaves his killer’s name scratched into the earth where he fell. The Youngbloods swear to find justice for their father, even if the Waynes are the wealthiest family in the neighborhood and their mother’s blood.  Did the Waynes really nurse their hatred against their sister Leigh Youngblood for thirty years before extracting vengeance or is there something more behind this senseless murder?

Ms. Sala writes deeply insightful thrillers which bring both the light and dark of human nature into the light in the telling of her story.  Leigh Youngblood seems to have been the prize of the Wayne family crop, who leaves behind her dysfunctional family with all its wealth to marry for love and found a family dynasty rooted in love and caring.

The contrast between the two families is glaring as the Wayne family scrambles in the wake of the murder and police investigation. Each member of the family is willing to offer up the other members to keep themselves safe and protect the wealth that makes their world go around. On the flip side, the tragedy unites the Youngbloods as they gather around their mother and vow to seek justice for the senseless murder of their father.  When the killer is revealed and the motive exposed, as disgusted as you may feel. it will come as no surprise that the rich really have a very different value scale from ordinary human beings.

In the midst of the sadness are bright moments as Leigh’s eldest son comes home after a long absence, only to find his own happiness in the midst of the tragedy. Leigh’s disabled son, who came home from the war, is so sweet and simple, but his understanding of loss and death will wrench your heart as he in his own way deals with the grief of losing his father and supporting his mother in her grief.  Leigh might have left her Wayne family behind, but she’s so rich and strong in her family and friends that she’s able to take on and defeat the mighty Waynes in the press while she gets the justice she demands for her husband and for her family.

I pick up anything with Ms. Sala’s name on it because I know it will be a compelling story that will suck me in from beginning to end. This is another winner from this author.

Grade: A

Summary:

MURDER IN EDEN
Felled by a cowardly shot to the back, Stanton Youngblood has just enough time before he dies to leave a single clue to his killer’s identity: the word Wayne, scrawled in his own blood.
That word means everything to his widow. Leigh Youngblood was once Leigh Wayne, but she left her wealthy family behind thirty years ago when she fell in love with Stanton, a betrayal the Waynes have never forgiven. Now she publicly vows to discover which of her siblings thinks money and power are enough to cover up a murder.
Back in town to find his father’s killer, prodigal son Brody finds his search for justice comes with an unexpected ray of light. He’s loved Talia Champion forever, but when she said she couldn’t marry him, he left town and never looked back. This time it’s Talia who needs him, and it isn’t in him to deny her anything.
But the killer still has a score to settle, and if that means spilling more blood—so much the better.

No excerpt available.