Penny Vincenzi, Almost a Crime

Almost a Crime

Penny Vincenzi

Overlook, October 2006, $27.95

ISBN: 158567852X

Everyone envies the "power marriage" between charity lawyer Octavia and public relations specialist Tom Fleming, except for her father Felix Miller who detests his son-in-law, though he loves his three grandchildren, the twins and the infant Minty. A widower, Felix has a girlfriend, but his life is his daughter.

Octavia's best friend Louise Trelawny informs her that her beloved mother Anna is dying from cancer. Her spouse Sandy and their young child Dickon are worried about Louise who is very upset. Octavia is upset too, as Anna is like a mother to her.

Octavia finds a lacy hanky that does not belong to her and becomes suspicious. She checks up on Tom, who is on a business trip and learns he is staying at a hotel with his "wife". She informs him she wants a divorce. He meekly agrees, as his life professionally collapses too. Tom knows he loves his wife and screwed up, but he doesn't know what to do, as Felix is coming for him and Octavia has apparently found someone else. He hides the worst of his indiscretion from her (who he did it with) because the consequences of his actions would make the betrayal hurt her so much more.

Though the tale takes a bit to get started as Penny Vincenzi introduces her ensemble cast, readers will enjoy this complex contemporary (the above only follows one subplot of several) with strong characterizations. Fans will believe in the relationships that form or break up, as these move the multifaceted storyline forward. With a cast of many, all containing differing personalities, Ms. Vincenzi provides a deep modern day English relationships drama that is totally enthralling.