In Shelter Cove
Barbara Freethy
Pocket, May 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9781439173251

Five years ago, Brianna arrived at Angel's Bay, California to marry Derek Kane. However, not long after they exchanged I do, he was arrested for stealing three paintings from the local museum. He was convicted and sent to prison. Just a few weeks before his release, Derek is dead.

A single mom, Brianna believes she is the only person besides her mother-in-law and the real thief who believes her spouse was innocent. Upon his death, she vowed to uncover the identity of the felon so accompanied by their child Lucas returns to Angel's Bay and not just for her husband's funeral. She blames Lucas' best friend police officer Jason Marlowe for Derek's conviction as his testimony hung her spouse. Thus when she learns he is her neighbor, she is outraged especially when Lucas seems to worship the cop. Worse she is also attracted to him and stunned by clues that make her believe either Derek did the nefarious deed or Jason set him up to take the fall.

The latest Angel's Bay tale (see Suddenly One Summer) is an exciting romantic suspense with angelic support enhancing the plot. The story line is a classic romantic mystery that has readers and the heroine wondering whether Derek or Jason is the culprit. Although the key characters' cause seems forced to fit the effect rather than driving the flow, fans will enjoy accompanying the widow as she seeks the truth In Shelter Cove.

Harriet Klausner