Helpful Score: 2
Kate Edwards has been through a ringer. Though she was the rape victim, who brought wealthy Jason Trask to trial, the Fall River, Arkansas townsfolk blame her for the incident. Not feeling particularly safe and needing vengeance, Kate hires Tucker Caldwell, a former con, to protect her. Other women also seek revenge against Jason. For instance, Kate's sister is a victim of a vicious rape by the man. Jason's ex-spouse has been abused by him. Still, the man seems to be above the law because his family owns the small town. When justice fails them and a murder occurs, Kate and her allies realize that it is up to them to rectify the situation. Though she now loves Tucker, she knows that nothing can come of it until Jason is eliminated as a threat one way or another. If the reader can suspend belief about the evil of Jason (sort of on a par with his serial movie namesake), this is a fabulous novel to read. The tale moves quickly even as it provides a horrifying view into the impact of sexual deviant behavior and violence on the victims. Readers who suspect how good a read Marilyn Pappano's current work is, will be shocked to find SUSPICION to be superior to anything on the shelves today. The novel demonstrates the dazzling brilliance of Ms. Pappano's talent.
