With their relationship still rocky after Lauren’s recent infidelity, Kip is still insecure, and less than pleased by her lover’s decision to get involved in yet another death. Lauren, on the other hand, is secretly relieved to have a chance, and an excuse, to concentrate on something else besides her musings on the woes of long time relationships.

Her client doesn’t believe Bill Moffat would have killed himself, and many of the man’s nearest and dearest agree. The investigation into the one death soon expands when Lauren is sidetracked by information about a series of murders in the area and a possible connection with the accidental deaths of several young children. She doesn’t see how all of this could possibly be related to her case, but her instincts tell her to keep digging, and the secrets she uncovers will turn this small community upside down.

This is a fast paced mystery, with deft characterization and Lauren’s first person narration to provide an intimate feel. Lauren’s struggles with a long term relationship and the difficulties involved ring true no matter what the reader’s orientation, but I had a very hard time relating to the character when she expressed her conviction that cheating on Kip was necessary to “wake them up” in their relationship.

“I believe that having the affair with Alex saved our marriage. I don’t know where we’d be now if I hadn’t. It’s made us look at our relationship and try to fix the things that eventually would’ve killed it.”

What a bunch of hooey; but I can’t help but like the woman anyway. The solution to the mystery came together a bit too easily, I thought, but the story kept my interest (and kept me guessing), making for an enjoyable read.

--Jeri Wright