When Shadows Fall
Kate FellowesRomantic suspense
Available from Swimming Kangaroo Books
ISBN: 978-1-934041-22-2
March 2007
| Gretchen Waller was too honest to make it as a telemarketer. Now she has a job
as a research assistant for John Davis Honeycutt. The Honeycutts are famous and wealthy, and Gretchen’s new boss is good-looking as well. They are working at Mill Hollow, a grand and somewhat isolated estate. John’s grandfather, Henry Hanover Honeycutt, is in jail for murdering a business associate, and John wants to write a family history and clear his name.
Servants Al and Mary appear to be the only others in residence at Mill Hollow. And they aren’t exactly eager for John to dig up the truth. Then Aunt Doris and Uncle Bert arrive. They are notorious for overstaying their welcome. Gretchen discovers mysterious footprints in the snow and the ghostly aroma of violets. As Gretchen works with John to solve the mystery, and their bond grows in a satisfactory manner. Kate Fellowes writes well, but some of the family details are confusing. Shouldn’t John’s parents somehow be involved? Considering their ages, are Doris and Bert really his aunt and uncle, or some more distant relations? Bert goes to visit his brother at one point. Is he a Honeycutt, too? Although John describes the family as “dysfunctional,” it would have been nice to have relationships spelled out more clearly. With all that money involved, shouldn’t there have been other interested heirs? And why does John need to write a whole family history to uncover the truth about the murder? Gramps’ original lawyer was apparently totally inept? Shouldn’t there be a current lawyer? Who is now financially in charge of paying the help and other bills at Mill Hollow? This is an interesting tale of family secrets and romance, despite some unanswered questions. Fellowes is definitely an author to watch.
Overall rating:
Reviewer: Lynn Bushey |
