Secret Sisters

Happy Christmas Card Day!  Sir Henry Cole created the first commercial Christmas card is 1843.  I love the tradition of sending and receiving Christmas cards.  It is sometimes, unfortunately, the only time you hear from family members.  There are so many choices available in Christmas cards.  You can create your own, buy individual or boxed cards, e-cards, or photo cards.  I have to admit that I have yet to do my cards (I am very tardy).  It is also National Pastry Day (yum).  A good opportunity for you to make your favorite treat!

I just finished reading the novel Secret Sisters by Jayne Ann Krentz.  Madeline Chase was attacked eighteen years ago (she was twelve) on Cooper Island at Aurora Point Hotel.  Daphne (her best friend) went for help and got Tom Lomax (the caretaker) and grandmother, Edith Chase.  Thankfully, Madeline was rescued before the attacked could harm her.  The attacker had a briefcase with him.  After the adults saw the contents, they quickly hid the briefcase (insurance policy). Eighteen years later Madeline’s grandmother, Edith just passed away leaving her in charge of the Sanctuary Creek Inns.  Madeline gets a call from Tom Lomax that he needs to see her right away.  Madeline has not been back to Cooper Island since the attack.  When Madeline arrives, Tom is at the bottom of the staircase.  He apologizes for not protecting her and the secret before he passes away.  Then someone tries to kill Madeline.

Madeline calls in Jack Rayner from Rayner Risk Management for assistance (the security company she has under contract).  It turns out that someone is trying to kill everyone involved in the incident eighteen years earlier.  What was in the briefcase?  Madeline and Daphne are the last two left alive.  Jack, Abe (Jack’s brother who also works for Rayner Risk Management), Madeline, and Daphne set out to find everything they can on the attacker and what his briefcase might have contained.  Will they be able to stay alive long enough to get answers?

Secret Sisters is a good mystery novel.  It is intriguing (and suspenseful) and you will be kept guessing throughout the book.  I just wish that the focus had stayed on the mystery.  Unfortunately, romance seemed to dominate the book.  The writing is good (as always with this author).  I give Secret Sisters 3.75 out of 5 stars.  If you are looking for a book with a lot of romance and a little bit of mystery, then Secret Sisters is the book for you!

I have tried to be careful in the information I have provided in the review. I did not want to give away any spoilers. What I have provided in the summary happens at the beginning of the book (it is what starts the mystery off).  I received a complimentary copy of Secret Sisters from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am currently reading Where Lemons Bloom by Blair McDowell (it is very good).  I am off to work on the Christmas trees.  Have a lovely afternoon. Make sure to take some time for yourself during this busy holiday season.  Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader