"A fantastic story with wonderful characterization."

Henry Island, privately owned by the Henry family, was the traditional vacation spot for Mariah Henry and her parents for as long as she could remember. Unfortunately, her cousins, aunts and uncles were not the happiest of families. Mariah's cousins taunted her and disliked to the point of hate the flamboyant personality of her mother, who seemed to constantly fly in the face of the Henry pride.

Mariah's mother has been dead for a number of years, killed in an accident on the island when Mariah was just a child. Now her father has passed away. Mariah returns once again to the island, this time to sprinkle his ashes on the land that is their heritage. Unfortunately, nothing has changed with her relatives. But something is definitely changing where the island is concerned. Why all the whispering and side glances from her family? And why is a stranger, albeit a handsome one, living in the cottage that belongs to her?

Grayson Hollowell was hired by Mariah's father to investigate the years-old "accidental" death of his wife on Henry Island. Now Mariah's father is dead, but Grayson decides to pursue the case on his own after several suspicious accidents and even more close calls for Mariah. She's too trusting of her family, and he realizes she needs his protection. The island holds secrets he feels Mariah's father meant to be uncovered, not just about the family's mysterious past, but also about Mariah's future.

You can almost feel the sun in your face and the sand on your feet in this contemporary island mystery as Ms. Browning once again proves her mastery of the art of storytelling. Add to that her gift for developing key and secondary characters and you've got yourself a fantastic read. A great opener hooks you from the first page and keeps you guessing until the end.

Reviewed by Margaret Ohmes
Courtesy Old Book Barn Gazette
Posted June 20, 2003