Carla Damron Spider Blue

Spider Blue

Carla Damron

BellaRosa Books, Jan 2005, $25.95, 294 pp.

ISBN: 0974768561

In Westville, South Carolina, everyone is shocked when someone stabs to death the mother of two children, nurse Frances Callahan in front of her home. Shannon McPherson's best friend Maggie Wells is watching the kids, but fears for her own life. Shannon drags her therapist boyfriend Caleb Knowles to Maggie's home to see how they can help her. His friend Detective Claudia Briscoe heads the investigation so Caleb, who has worked with law enforcement before agrees to let her know if the kids say anything useful.

The next morning Caleb's boss Dr. Matthew Ryker calls to tell him to get over to Tindall Manufacturing where they provide employee assistance counseling. Apparently, worker Murphy Lumford killed floor supervisor Buck Swygert and severely wounded machine operator Sally Weston and electrician Beard. Along with Matthew and psychiatrist Dr. Grey Lazarus, Caleb has his work cut out as the firm's workforce is stunned and badly in need of grief and fear counseling. The cops asks Caleb to interview Murphy to learn why while also providing assistance to Frances' four year old daughter Emma, who has haunted him from that first night when he saw her eyes just after her mom was murdered.

The cast makes the tale must reading for fans who want more than the murder investigation. Readers accompany Caleb as he tries to help battle fatigue syndrome victims get through the shock of murder at "safe houses" like the plant or the nurse's home. As with the delightful KEEPING SILENT, Carla Damron provides a deep thriller that concentrates on the relationships of an everyman struggling to help others cope, but wondering who will help him cope with their haunted eyes.

Harriet Klausner