Synopsis
In a small Vermont town, Britt Andersen investigates the tragic house fire that has killed her beautiful sister Greta. Estranged from her sister since their father died, Britt meets Alec, her attractive ex brother-in-law and her eleven year old niece Zoe - who had narrowly escaped the fire with her life. Britt soon suspects Alec of deliberately setting the fire, and gathers enough evidence to have him arrested. However in one of the many suspenseful plot twists, Britt learns a family secret that convinces her of Alec's innocence, and her subsequent search for the real killer uncovers the sister she never knew. With suspects around every corner, and a startling conclusion, SUSPICIOUS ORIGIN will keep readers flipping pages until the very end."A tightly woven tapestry of psychological suspense. You'll be right there with Britt as she confronts her past to get at the truth. Tension, revelation, and self discovery abound!" (Andrea Kane)
Publishers Weekly
Some clever hiding of clues in plain sight distinguishes Edgar nominee MacDonald's (The Unforgiven) otherwise unremarkable contemporary thriller. Britt Andersen finds herself playing Nancy Drew after Greta, her estranged older sister, perishes in a fire that also almost claims the life of her 11-year-old niece, Zoe. Remorseful at having lost her chance at reconciliation, Britt leaves Boston, where she produces a late-night news talk show, for the rural Vermont community where her sister lived and died. Her intended short stay for the funeral is extended both by unexpected feelings of connection to Zoe and by the alarming news that the fatal blaze was of "suspicious origin," a phrase that develops a personal resonance when she learns that Greta was trying to locate their mother, who'd deserted them when they were little. After her brother-in-law starts behaving oddly, Britt joins forces with a local reporter to build a case against him. Predictably, Britt too becomes the target of arson and attempted murder. While the author plays fair by giving reasonable hints that still allow for a pleasurable surprise twist, her paper-thin characters generate little interest. A successful professional who must have considerable emotional intelligence to do her job, Britt acts as if the most basic human feelings of love and attachment are an unknowable mystery. Her strictly amateur sleuthing succeeds only by accident. Readers for whom romance matters more than crime-solving, however, will like the hopeful, heart-warming ending. (Apr. 8) FYI: MacDonald is a bestselling author in France. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.