Anna Jeffrey, Salvation, Texas

Salvation, Texas

Anna Jeffrey

Signet, January 2007, $6.99

ISBN: 0451220080

When Rusty Joplin and Elena Ryder were teens in SALVATION, TEXAS, they fell in love, but her wealthy influential family ended their relationship. Shortly afterward Rusty left town. Three years ago after time in the military, he came home to become a deputy sheriff; now he is the Sanderson County sheriff having won the election.

When Elena's sister Carla Ryder is found dead, her husband Gary calls the hospital, not 911 or law enforcement. If deputy sheriff Cheryl Hopkins had not intercepted the call, a potential crime might have been erased; as it is, the murder location has been devastated by a horde of visitors by the time Rusty arrives. Rusty cannot accept that an experienced horsewoman like Carla would make a rookie's mistake and get tangled with a rope around her neck, even if Gary insists the horse is dangerous in daylight; Rusty sees a very calm tame steed. As he investigates a possible murder, with Gary as the prime suspect, he gets no cooperation from the family, except for Lena, who he still loves.

SALVATION, TEXAS is an exciting second chance at love police procedural, in which her family objects to their relationship and to his investigation. The storyline is fast-paced, as Lena helps Rusty with the case by opening doors for him that would have remained shut tight, as one revelation after another occurs. Readers will enjoy Anna Jeffrey's fine thriller, in which homicide serves as a matchmaker.