By: Dianne Emley
Genres: Suspense | Thriller Police Procedural | Mystery Woman Sleuth
Posted: June 20, 2010
Vince had recently been seeing Vining's mother, Patsy, who was also an old friend of Tink's. Trendi and Tink also seem to be linked by their devotion to the books and methods of the popular self-help maven Georgia Berryhill (who seems to draw as many critics as she does followers). Vining and her partner and lover, Jim Kissick, find themselves moving in the elite circles of wealth and celebrity as they search for the killer. In a world where so much is pretense, the truth will be hard to find.
Nan Vining, a tough, driven cop, is also raising a teenage girl and dealing with her own flighty, irresponsible mother, not to mention trying to keep her romantic relationship with Kissick low key. The personal drama does not detract from the suspense, however, but adds a layer of emotional depth to the story. The plot moves briskly along a twisted path with a few surprises along the way, suspects abound, and there's enough humor to keep things from becoming too grim. I recommend this book to readers who like character-driven mysteries (and there are some real characters in this book!).
Book Summary
Homicide police detective, single mother of a teenage daughter, and lover to her partner Jim Kissick, Nan Vining wishes that life was a little more serene, more like it is at Georgia Berryhill’s Malibu Canyon compound—or like it’s supposed to be there, anyway. But three bizarre deaths have brought Vining and Kissick through the exclusive gates of this healing ground for the well-heeled. First there’s the double homicide of a celebrity private eye and his nude, drugged-out lover. Then there’s the inexplicable drowning of a Pasadena socialite. Georgia Berryhill— charismatic self-help guru to the stars—is one link to both investigations. A second link is Vining’s own mother, who was a friend to one of the victims and was being wooed by another. Now A-listers, wannabes, lost souls, and keepers of long-hidden secrets all converge at the Berryhill compound. Some search for love and happiness, while others come for murder.
by: Dianne Emley
Nan Vining #4 Ballantine Books
June 1, 2010
On Sale: May 25, 2010
Featuring: Jim Kissick; Nan Vining
352 pages
ISBN: 0345499557
EAN: 9780345499554
Paperback