This is the first of at least 8 books in the “Suspicion” series featuring Gail Connor and Anthony Quintana, two Miami lawyers. I wasn’t aware that this was a series until, at the end of the book, there was an except from “Suspicion of Guilt”, #2 in the series.
I won’t go out of my way to read the rest of the series.
The problem with this book is that the first half – over 200 pages – is spent on “character development.” Almost nothing happens, except for the suicide of Gail’s estranged sister, Renee. But the medical examiner leaves the means of death “undetermined” and the police continue to investigate. Eventually Gail is arrested and charged with the murder.
That, in my view, is another problem. What evidence did the police have? Some notes and cards from Gail’s husband to Renee indicating that he was closer to her than Gail was. An argument between Gail and Renee at a birthday party on the day of her death. A fingerprint in Renee’s kitchen. Pretty thin evidence. If a prosecutor can get an indictment on this then we are all at risk.
The book does get better in the second half. A subplot – and history lesson – about the Tequesta Indians of Florida was interesting. But the second half only raised the level of interest to “mediocre.”
5 out of 10.
