Gayle Roper has been a long time favourite author of mine and her latest suspense novel has entrenched that view!
Under a stipulation in her late Aunt’s will, Libby Keating finds herself living in the same house as her twin, the vibrant yet manipulative Tori. Tori has always set her sights on anything or anyone that belonged to Libby and she begins a campaign to win the love and loyalty of Libby’s thirteen year old daughter Chloe.
When Chloe strikes up a friendship with Jenna Canfield, Libby meets her dad, Drew, a college professor struggling with the ongoing fallout from his former wife’s mental illness.
When a dead body turns up on Libby’s doorstep with a threatening note addressed to Tori in the form of a crossword puzzle, Libby becomes embroiled in a mystery that threatens both the daughter she loves and the sister who has despised her for years.
I loved everything about this book! Great suspense, multi dimensional characters and an engaging romance. Delving into the dysfunctional family that shaped Libby and Tori and the impact of Libby’s faith on the family dynamics provides great depth to the story. It provides beautiful moments as Drew has the opportunity to build up in Libby what her family has torn down. I appreciated Gayle’s authenticity in not watering down the unattractive qualities of Tori and the women in the family. Bitterness and negativity profoundly affect many families and there is no easy fix. The mystery is intriguing and the inclusion of the actual crossword puzzle threats lots of fun. Gayle has poured all her talent into this story and come up trumps! This is an absorbing and enjoyable read – don’t let Fatal Deduction pass you by.
Giveaway (two copies available!):~
1. You must have an Aussie postal addy;
2. Post a comment before midnight on Sunday 8th June, 2008;
3. Are you a crossword or Sudoku fan?
Relz Reviewz Extras:~
Visit Gayle’s website
Buy Fatal Deduction from Amazon or Koorong
Check back for my interview with Gayle soon
June 2, 2008 at 3:48 am
To put my name in the draw I’m going with crosswords. I’m absolutely and completely hopeless at them. But I don’t go near numbers!
June 2, 2008 at 3:52 am
I don’t really do either, but if I had to choose, I would say crosswords!Please enter me 🙂joyfuljewelz (at) gmail.com
June 2, 2008 at 5:52 am
Please enter my name in the draw even though I dont do either crosswords or suduko as there is only spare time for READING !
June 2, 2008 at 6:18 am
I think I prefer crosswords as they are a little more relaxing than Sudoku’s. I tend to get a little frustrated with them when I can’t work out the number!!!!! Ta Rel
June 2, 2008 at 8:19 am
I love mystery books and this one sounds great, would you be able to put my name down 2 please, out of the crossword sudoku question i enjoy sudoku so much more, crosswords are to hard
June 2, 2008 at 8:22 am
I used to be a crossword person, then went through a Sudoko phase… but I’m leaning back toward crosswords now – cryptics in particular. Please enter me. Thanks.
June 2, 2008 at 9:19 am
I am into crosswords. I enjoy reading mysteries and romance novels.
June 2, 2008 at 9:36 am
i’ve never done sudoku–seems like to much brainwork to me!!! not a real crossword fan, either, but i guess i’d have to say that. though i’d probably rather prefer find-a-words. 🙂 please enter me.
June 3, 2008 at 2:59 am
Can I enter this one?I would have a really hard time deciding between sudoku and crosswords, but I’ll say sudoku because it’s currently my favourite :).
June 3, 2008 at 3:28 am
The book sounds great, love a good thriller. I’m not into either sudoko or crosswords, if I have any spare time it’s either a book or spider solitaire on the computer.Wendyb
June 4, 2008 at 4:58 am
Please enter me in too even though I’m not really into either crosswords or Sudokus, but I’d love to win the book.
June 5, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I much prefer crosswords over sudoku. If you get stuck you can ask someone! Please enter me in your giveaway 🙂rosalie@exemail.com.au
June 5, 2008 at 9:43 pm
I like Sudoku. Although I am not very good at it.