Cait London, Hidden Secrets

Hidden Secrets

Cait London

Avon, Feb 2005, $5.99, 384 pp.

ISBN: 0060555890

In Washington State Cascade Mountains, Spence Gerhard continues his quest to find his nephew, three-year-old Cody, or at least his remains. Over two and a half years ago, Spence's sister and her ex-husband died when their pick-up left the snowy road, but Cody's body was not found. Spence needs closure though he prays for a miracle.

Fresh Takes store owner Marlo Malone has the uncanny ability to know when death lurks and feels a fabric in her shop is trying to tell her something, but she prefers to ignore those feelings and remain on a "reality" path. Still, she continues to sense that a little boy is calling for her to rescue him. She works on the clues her gift sends her way with little progress.

Spence returns to Godfrey where he realizes that he still is attracted to Marlo; she reciprocates, but neither pursues these mutual feelings. Though he doubts her intuition, Spence has no other road to trek so he joins forces with Marlo. As they fall in love, he begins to believe in her psychic gift and that Cody lives.

This is a slow-starting, contemporary, paranormal, suspense thriller that once it picks up speed (about halfway through the book), the storyline never slows down until the final altercation. The plot takes its time introducing the key cast members, especially the lead couple. That provides the audience insight deep into the minds of Spence and Marlo, but also leaves the audience somewhat impatient to pick up the pace. Once Cait London does, fans of psychic romantic suspense will appreciate the preliminaries that enhance a fine thriller.

Harriet Klausner