Mike has no idea where to turn, and he’s wasted eleven months spinning his wheels.  Finally, he decides to hire Jennie Foster, a fellow teacher and professional historical researcher. They mystery intrigues Jennie, as does River Bluffs.  And Mike Garretson is quite attractive, too.  It’s a lot for a rather shy historian to absorb, but soon Jennie and Mike are deep into his family history and finding more than they bargained for.

A Family to Die For is well-written, and the standout of the story is Jennie.  Her character is delightful and down-to-earth; this is someone readers will easily identify with.  Her bemusement when Mike seems interested in her is charming, and I’m betting that many readers will relate to her feelings.  

Mike is more problematic, and frankly, I couldn’t see what Jennie found so attractive in him other than his looks.  He comes across as insecure and self-absorbed, a guy who wants everyone’s attention and approval.  Much is made of his car, a 1965 Shelby Mustang, and Mike himself admits that ”He wasn’t ready for another relationship.  Maybe a brief fling, but Jennie didn’t strike him as the one-night-stand type. And if he were looking, he’d want sophistication, someone who would really make other people take a second look.”.  He wants a hot car and a hot babe so everyone will look at him?  I just couldn’t warm up to the guy.  He seemed more caricature than character.  Jennie’s quirks make her interesting; Mike’s lack of them make him bland.

The plot is complex, perhaps too complex.  There are a lot of Housemans on the family tree, and it’s difficult to keep them all straight.  Add in some Garretsons, Mike’s arm-candy ex-wife, and a few people who work at Houseman Pharmaceuticals (rather distractingly referred to as HP throughout the book - I kept thinking of printers) and one needs a scorecard to keep track.  The villain is kept hidden, though – I didn’t see the ending coming, and it’s suitably suspenseful.  Kudos to the author on that.

A.J. Brower shows that she has talent for creating interesting, complex plots and equally interesting heroines.  It will be fun to see how her voice develops, and I’ll be watching for her next release. 

--Cathy Sova