 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
North Hampton Beach, Virginia – Present Day Fifteen years ago, Lucy Sinclair’s life changed when her father was accused and convicted of murdering three people, including one of Lucy’s classmates. She hasn’t seen her father since, but one day she pays him a visit at the prison, where he insists that he didn’t kill Aurora, Lucy’s classmate. Lucy decides to return to Virginia and rent a beach bungalow in hopes of asking questions about Aurora’s murder. Back then, it was pretty much an open-and-shut investigation. Of course, Lucy’s return and questions will stir up old wounds. In fact, she has several people come right up to her and tell her to go away. But Lucy is determined. Then, she learns that her ex-boyfriend, Ford Wagner, is also spending the summer at the beach house next door… Ford recently separated from his pregnant wife, Christina, who wants him back, not for love but for the money that will keep her in grand style. He plans to spend the summer deciding if getting back with her is the right thing to do. He learns that Lucy will be staying next door, which stirs up memories and regret because he dumped her when her father was arrested. Ford soon spots Lucy and contacts her. She is cool toward him, but he listens to her when she tells him what she has learned so far about the night Aurora was killed. Like Lucy, he quickly realizes there are holes in the investigation and hires an investigator. Will they crack the case and ease Lucy’s mind about her father? What about the two other people killed? Did Lucy’s alcoholic father really commit the crimes? THE SUMMER THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING is a bit of a whodunit mystery about a past crime and the reconstruction of what happened that night. Once Lucy’s father was arrested, she became a persona non grata because she was the killer’s daughter. Since she was only seventeen, one could understand her confusion over whether her only parent was guilty or not. But having Ford abandon her was the final straw. After talking to her father, Lucy wants to get to the bottom of the murder of Aurora. Her father was drunk that night and remembers very little. She is resistant to Ford’s help at first, but after somebody breaks into the cabin, she realizes that someone wants to force her to leave town. She soon appreciates his help, even as old romantic feelings are rekindled. But Ford is still married to Christina. As Ford and Lucy ask around town, they meet with reluctance and hostility. His old friend, Chet, believes that Lucy’s father killed Aurora for Lucy because Aurora was trying to break up Ford’s relationship with Lucy. After the break-in at the bungalow, Ford has Lucy move in with him at his beach house. This leads to them changing their relationship from one of friendship to one of lovers. But Christina is persistent in wanting him to return to DC, and soon, Ford’s mother finds out about Lucy. She isn’t happy. Will all these people come between Ford and Lucy? What will he decide about Christina? Will the murder(s) be solved, and is Lucy’s father innocent of at least one crime? THE SUMMER THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING is an intriguing and entertaining tale that you won’t want to put down. Don’t miss this captivating read. Patti Fischer |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
THE SUMMER THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING – Brenda Novak