Debbie Macomber, 6 Rainier Drive

6 Rainier Drive

Debbie Macomber

Mira, Sep 2006, $7.99

ISBN 077832334X

In Cedar Cove, Washington the residents are already stunned by the fire that destroyed the Lighthouse Restaurant; however even more shocking is the official report that the blaze was deliberately set. The law suspects that former employee Anson Butler lit the inferno, as he was disgruntled and since vanished; the hunt is on for this suspected arsonist.

Meanwhile the married owners of the Lighthouse Restaurant, Justine and Seth Gunderson debate over whether to rebuild. He desperately wants to; she prefers to move on with time to do other things. Their argument has shaken the core of their relationship; Justine is having lunch with her former beau Warren Saget.

The arson has impacted other citizens as well though not obviously as much as the proprietors as life must go on. For instance Get Nailed hairstylist Teri Miller acting out of character meets and starts dating international chess grandmaster Bobby Polgar. The problems in the relationship between the clinic's physican assistant Lynnette McAfee and horse trainer Cal Washburn seem more exacerbated and significant since the fire. Finally photographer and father of Katie Jon Bowman rages over his recent knowledge of his parents' deception at a time his pregnant wife Maryellen needs his support.

Cedar Cove series readers will enjoy the sixth tale that focuses on the aftermath of the restaurant arson on the townsfolk. In spite of a much needed biography that provides a who's who of the key players, new visitors and tourists will be hard put to follow much of the sidebar goings on that continues subplots from previous novels. Still Debbie Macomber's fans will appreciate her latest Washington state US Navy small town soapy relationship drama.

Harriet Klausner