Assessment:

 Plot:The plot is very well structured in this novel. If there are a few weak points, such as a need for more detail about Alice's backstory, and a bit more color required for Beth Simms' motivations, the storytelling and prose keeps the storyline moving along quite well.

Prose/Style:The prose is polished, crisp, straightforward and highly readable. The author’s writing shows a real maturity in the editing process.

Originality:The dual storyline of Alice's slowly escalating predicament and the long-ago murder she's researching makes this story arc stand out a bit more than other plots of this type.

Character Development:Alice is a well-rounded, fully developed character (though her curiosity as a journalist and some aspects of her troubled marriage need a little polishing). Secondary characters, particularly Larry Lee Simms, have depth and strength, and are written with compassion and insight.

Blurb:As Alice Bennett navigates the complexities of small-town life and personal histories, her own included, the suspense ratchets up and every instance of violence gets a little more intense. This is an enjoyable small-town psychological thriller with vivid characters and excellent pacing and plotting. 

Date Submitted: April 11, 2019