Title: Double Indemnity
Series: N/A
Author: Maggie Kavanagh
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: Novel (214 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (January 26th, 2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
Blurb: Sam Flynn dreamed of being a journalist, until a car accident killed his parents and put his brother into a long-term coma. Now Sam spends his days as a landscaper, toiling in the New England sun, and his nights drunk in bed with the closest warm body. In his limited spare time, he writes about Stonebridge’s local crime and politics on his blog “Under the Bridge.”
Then Sam’s favorite client is found dead in her home—shortly after telling him someone has betrayed her trust. Sam can’t believe her grief-stricken husband, Nathan, would be a suspect, but the investigation focuses on him.
Sam has always admired handsome Nathan from afar, but now he puts his libidinous feelings aside to help clear his name. But the closer he gets to Nathan, the more he’s told to keep away from him and the investigation—by the fatherly police chief, by an officer on the case who’s hated him since school, and by Nathan himself.
Sam is determined to expose the real reason his friend died and to clear Nathan’s name—even if it’s the last thing he does. Which, considering how fast the death toll is rising in Stonebridge… it might be.
ISBN: 978-1-63216-378-3
Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5979
Reviewer: Prime
Review: This book is one wild ride! Seriously, there are a number of complex elements weaved together to make an exciting and cohesive story. And with one of the main character’s blog named after a Red Hot Chilli Peppers song, I thought to take that as a good sign in the beginning.
The story follows Sam, who gave up any thought of a journalism career when his parents died in a car accident and his little brother is in a coma, and has been for the six years since. He has the hots for a client/friend’s husband, which he ignores until circumstances bring Sam and Nathan together and eventually makes Nathan have to face up to facts.
Sam is determined to make sure Nathan’s innocence is proven, placing more stress on him while he struggles to maintain control in life. Both men are likable and in that way, it was really easy to relate to Sam’s feelings for Nathan. The emotion of Nathan and actually being able to feel from the words that he is desperately trying to keep things together is really hard-hitting for me. I also enjoyed his inner conflict about moving on without too much angst.
I just said there are a number of complex elements to make this wonderful story:
– The murder mystery – actually make that more than one murder
– There are whispers of a devious plot which Sam needs to wade through
– The suspense and mystery of Nathan’s present
– The tragedy of Sam’s past
– Sam’s eccentric friends
– And of course, love – friendship, familial and romantic love.
I have to say, by the end of this, Sam would make a pretty decent cop, though I doubt Nathan would like that! I really loved the ending. It wasn’t entirely predictable. Some elements were easier to figure out than others.
I also liked conclusion on the personal side of things too, although I think that some would wish for things to go just slightly differently than they did, eventually we see the light at the end of the tunnel. It felt somewhat natural and realistic throughout, though I’ve never found myself solving a murder and my boyfriend as a murder suspect.
I could not put this down. I was a bit miffed that my bus ride to the office ended and I had to stop reading. This is a real easy read and I flew through the pages. Then again, I enjoyed this so much I didn’t find myself picking or getting irritated by any plot holes (because I didn’t notice any!).
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
oooh, this sounds like one I need to go check out. Great review!