Synopsis (from
the publisher):
Summer is deadly in the mountain community of Mason County, Virginia.
Deputy Sheriff Tom Bridger and veterinarian Rachel Goddard are caught
in a maelstrom of lies that stretch far into the past and suspicions
that threaten the future. Cam and Meredith Taylor are murdered within
hours of one another, and Rachel is dragged into the case because she
heard -- but didn't see -- Cam’s murder. The Taylors arrived in
Mason County as volunteers in the 1960s War on Poverty, and they stayed
on, making loyal friends and bitter enemies. The victims’
daughter is Tom’s former girlfriend, Leslie. She returns home to
see justice done -- and to win Tom back from Rachel. The prime suspect
is newcomer Ben Hern, Rachel’s childhood friend, and she is
desperate to prove him innocent. Leslie pushes for Hern's arrest and
launches a campaign of intimidation against Rachel. With the killer
targeting Rachel and the community clamoring for an arrest, Tom and
Rachel must decide who they can trust.
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Broken Places
A Rachel
Goddard Mystery
Sandra
Parshall
Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover)
ISBN-10: 1-59058-653-0 (1590586530)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59058-653-2 (9781590586532)
Publication Date: February 2010
List Price: $24.95
— ◊ —
Review: Rachel
Goddard's harmonious life in the mountains of Virginia hits a rough
patch when her childhood friend is accused of murder in Broken Places, the third mystery in
this series by Sandra Parshall.
Rachel's life seems sweet: she has a small, but thriving, veterinary
practice and has fallen in love with Deputy Sheriff Tom Bridger. But
she's drawn into a murder investigation when she's a witness, sort of,
to the murder of Cam Taylor, editor of the local newspaper. Cam had
visited Ben Hern to plead for money to save the paper, Ben being not
only an old friend of Rachel but the local celebrity, a Cuban-American
artist whose work is highly regarded, and the author of several comic
strips and children's books. Shortly after Ben threw Cam out, Cam is
dead from a gunshot. Rachel heard the shot but didn't see who fired the
gun. Soon thereafter, Cam's home is destroyed by fire, killing his
wife. Their daughter, Leslie, arrives in town and demands Tom Bridger
arrest Ben Hern. With little evidence to support her claim, Tom
refuses. But Leslie is familiar with the past between Rachel and Ben,
and threatens to use her leverage to expose secrets best left buried.
The intricate mystery plot of Broken
Places is carefully constructed, augmented by a cast of
characters -- both good and evil, with some unexpected interpersonal
relationships -- that have something to hide. But secrets aren't always
kept for selfish or malicious reasons, a key element in a story that
ultimately puts Rachel in danger and truly captures the reader's
attention and keeps the suspense and tension level high. The narrative
moves along quickly and the identity of the killer, and the reasoning
behind the crimes, comes as a surprise. Broken Places is a memorable entry
in a series that keeps getting better.
Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of Broken Places and to Poisoned Pen Press for providing an ARC of the book for this review.
Review Copyright © 2010 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved
Have you read Broken Places? How would you rate it?
Mysteries in this series …
The
Heat of the Moon
Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover), April 2006
ISBN-10: 1-59058-256-X (159058256X)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59058-256-5 (9781590582565)
Disturbing the Dead
Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover), March 2007
ISBN-10: 1-59058-378-7 (1590583787)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59058-378-4 (9781590583784)
Broken Places
Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover), February 2010
ISBN-10: 1-59058-653-0 (1590586530)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59058-653-2 (9781590586532)
Omnimystery keywords for Broken Places ...
Location(s) referenced: Virginia.
