I've been a Carla Cassidy fan ever since I read her book, "Paint It Red". Several of her books later, i'm an even bigger fan.
That said, this one wasn't quite up to par with the others i've read. I think my biggest problem with it was the heroine's almost constant putting herself down. While she says she was sure her mother loved her, in spite of not understanding her at all...she really did a number on her daughter's self-esteem.
There were a few situations where I thought the heroines actions, (as well as the heroes), were out of character. For instance, (no spoilers), Haley has always pushed men, (and everyone else), away, but, she seems to let Molly and Grey in very quickly considering this is an almost life-long habit.
Grey is a psychologist,and yet, knowing everything that's going on in Haley's life...he is hurt and surprised at her reaction to a few things he should have seen coming a mile away, and not taken personally; IMO.
These are fairly minor things, and didn't affect the story negatively all that much; just not up to her usually more polished and well plotted stories.
I had a quibble with the way she had Detective Tolliver and his partner handle the report she made about something that might ordinarily be considered a "prank".
She writes them as being good at their job...but, in the middle of a murder investigation at the very house this sick prank is committed...they dismiss it as unimportant to their investigation. This is after another serious incident they don't take seriously. A good police officer would have seen red flags all over the place at that point.
Other than these small complaints, I really enjoyed the story. I didn't guess the killer until almost the very end, and the book was otherwise very well written.
This is the first time I have read a book from this author, Carla Cassidy. I love Mary Higgins Clarke's books. And this one is right up there, if not better. It had my attention the whole time. Vivid imagery, and the voices just pop out! The book has a great mystery. You get a couple ideas as to who is the "KILLER". But it is neither of them. A young girls Mom is murder. Her sister has to leave her life and move to her childhood home to take care of her niece. It is a tear jerk-er. If you like Mary Higgins Clark books you will really enjoy this book.
Good murder mystery-light, but moves fast. (some small romantic spaces). I liked it
This book was very good, keeps you guessing until the end.
