Zoe sits vigil by Ethan’s bedside. She is joined by FBI agent Andrew Prescott who has been working with the sheriff’s department in the next county over on a drug bust, curiously scheduled for the same night that Ethan was shot - a point that seems to escape Zoe for most of the book.

Tentatively, Zoe begins to investigate the shooting, especially concerned with rumors that Ethan and Rosalyn were having an affair. Ethan, according to Zoe, has morals that are above reproach, and would never have an affair with a subordinate. What’s more, and not public knowledge, Ethan is gay. Zoe does pick up the pace of her investigation a bit when an African American stranger is seen around town in a silver Jaguar (an unusual car for rural West Virginia) trying to locate her.

Zoe runs across Ren and for some reason, believes her stories and befriends her, trying to get the police to believe her. Soon, and very neatly, the mystery is solved, Ren has agreed to counseling and Ethan is well on the road to recovery.

Deadly Embrace has all the basic ingredients for a very good mystery. It has a crime that has horrified a community, a caring, determined detective, and many secrets that have been keep hidden, leading to all kinds of misunderstandings. Unfortunately, the mystery and the characters just skim the surface and are not delved into in great detail.

Zoe seems to be a very interesting young woman, but little background or character development has been provided. Several references are made to a friend’s death, but no further explanation is offered. Perhaps only readers of Zoe’s first mystery know the whole story. Zoe does seem genuine and someone worth getting to know better.

There is not a lot of tension built up during the investigation, even when Zoe is being sought by the stranger. The suspect field never seems broad, considering a limited number of people knew where Ethan and Rosalyn were to be that evening. If Ethan’s employees or residents of the small town who might be carrying grudges are ever considered as suspects, the reader is not privy to this.

Trudy Labovitz has created an interesting group of characters in a very warm setting. As the series progresses and characters are developed, the possibility exists for this to grow into a dependable series for fans looking for a strong, female protagonist.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry