Double Play
Penelope Neri
Love Spell, Sep 2005, $6.99
ISBN: 050552645X

In Hawaii, a 24/7 "prisoner" of her highly regarded brilliant spouse with no ties to her mainland family or having any friends except as Lulu with Keoki in a chat room, Elizabeth Harper vanishes without a trace. The police consider foul play, but nothing comes of following that line of reasoning; Detective Jack "Keoki" McQuinn reluctantly closes his investigation without learning what happened to her as no clues surface.

Thirteen months later, the police learn that her spouse, the head of a hospital's Cardiothoracic Surgery Department Richard, abused her so they reopen the investigation to see if they can find proof that he killed his wife and disposed of the body. However, Jack also considers that she may have just decided to vanish to escape the physical beatings and mental anguish that she suffered from her husband.

The exciting DOUBLE PLAY will remind readers of the Roberts' movie Sleeping with the Enemy. The beleaguered Elizabeth knows if she fails to flee she will be dead, but wonders where she will find the courage because if Richard catches her there is no telling how vicious he will become. Jack is a bulldog as he refuses to fully drop the case though it has become cold and he holds little hope for Elizabeth. Fans will appreciate this gripping action-packed thriller anticipating a High Noon showdown.

Harriet Klausner