Season of Shadows
Muriel Jensen
Signature Saga, Jun 2005, $5.99
ISBN: 037383652X

While her husband Naval Reservist John Keaton serves as a chaplain in Iraq, office assistant Julia dies in a tragic car accident leaving behind their two young children. On that same fatal day, John is wounded during a firefight so several months pass before he can look at his late wife's personal things including her journal that states that one of her two bosses at M&S Money Management embezzled client funds. Since she only gave a first name in her account, John plans to learn which one Ron Scieszka or Ron Milford is guilty of misusing funds and he believes murdered his spouse.

John targets Milford, who retired with an affluent lifestyle that is evidence of excessive wealth while Scieszka continues to work and struggle to stay afloat. Thus John relocates with his children to Maple Hill, Massachusetts where Milford resides. John's efforts to stay low-key abruptly ends when he rescues little Misty O'Neill from drowning. Maple Hill Mirror reporter Kay Florio wants to do a story with pictures on the hero, but John refuses. Curious Kay begins inquiries into why he rejected positive publicity; unaware of the perils she places the Keatons in.

SEASON OF SHADOWS is a wonderful romantic suspense investigative saga that establishes the prime cast members so that a late twist becomes realistic and even more intense and gripping. Kay is a fabulous journalist investigating John, who in turn looks for proof that Milford killed Julia. Their falling in love complicates and compromises her efforts to uncover what her beloved hides, which amplifies the tension. Muriel Jensen writes a strong thriller that her audience will be thankful for a fine reading happening.

Harriet Klausner