"Combination of a family drama and suspense thriller"

Over a year ago, a late night guest arrived at Cedar Cove, Washington Thyme and Tide Bed and Breakfast. The next day, the owners Peggy and Bob Beldon find last night's arrival dead. Not long afterward, the deceased is identified as Max Russell, who was poisoned. Because Bob and Max spent time together in Viet Nam, he was the prime suspect, but a year later the case is still unsolved and he is considered innocent. A third member of the Nam quartet Stewart Samuels was exonerated while the fourth Dan Sherman committed suicide.

Bob refuses to run though the police consider him a prime target of the unidentified killer. He does acquiesce to his wife's concerns and agrees to no guests until the case is resolved. While this couple adapts to a threat from an unknown source though Bob feels Stewart is behind this, others in the small Puget Sound town have family issues to deal with.

The latest trip to the Debbie Macomber's Pacific Northwest is a wonderful combination of a family drama and suspense thriller. The story line contains several subplots involving various townsfolk (only one described above), which for fans of the series is a delight as the stories of favorites continue. Newcomers will not be able to track what happens to many of the fine ensemble cast without first reading previous books like 33 PELICAN COURT; those who decide to go address hopping will find it worth the tour.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted August 16, 2004