2005-10-11 Book 3

In early 1989 at St. Ansel College (in Stone River, Maryland), Professor Stephen Madden was one of the top in the English field. Universities, world-wide, vied for him to give lectures on their campuses. He was next in line to be the Head of Celestine Hall. So his nineteen-year-old daughter, Nina Madden, stopped short as she witnessed her larger-than-life father being arrested and charged with the rape and murder of four students. Confused and emotionally adrift, Nina washed her hands of her father, her stepmother (Olivia), and her stepbrother (Kyle).

Today, sixteen years later, Nina Madden is a book editor in New York City. Her best author and friend is Regan Landry. Regan's late father had been a famous true crime writer. Regan is continuing in her father's footsteps. So naturally Nina goes to Regan for help digging into the past crimes of her own deceased father. Olivia has recently died and while going through her father's things, Nina reads a letter from her dad to Olivia. In the letter, Stephen admits to having affairs with his students, but not in their deaths. In fact, he accuses Olivia of defiling the girls and murdering them. But that is impossible, right?

Regan and her FBI boyfriend, Mitch Peyton, begin digging. Detective Wes Powell, Stone River Police Department, very reluctantly joins the investigation as well. As Nina learns more and more about Stephen and Olivia's pasts, a killer becomes uneasy.

**** I love how the author makes each novel of this series a stand alone book, yet keeps Regan and Mitch as an ongoing sub plot. If you are looking for a "Romantic Suspense", go elsewhere. Mariah Stewart is pure "Mystery Thriller". Stewart's stories, such as this dark tale, clearly shows that she enjoys her work. It also shows how twisted and devious her imagination is! As you read, do not assume that you know who the killer is. You may be dead wrong. (Pun not intended.) Terrific addition to the "Truth" series. ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.