The Lost Hours by Lynn Tavernier

Hope Philbrick: Young, beautiful, about to be wed. Prominent high society family. Private clubs. Old money. New money. Hope Philbrick: Dead from a fall off a steep rock ledge. Tragic accident.

This book wastes no time in pulling you into this taut thriller. By the second page, Detective Andrea Stuart is yanked off her badly needed vacation to check out the scene. It’s just a routine accident, but with the Philbricks being so high profile, her boss wants “all hands on deck.”

At the scene, Andrea notices things seem “off.” Her experience tells her this is a suspicious death, not a plain and simple accident. But the Philbricks have power. They don’t want their name tarnished in any way. They want this case closed immediately. Even her boss is pressuring her to close the case and move on. Apparently the Philbricks have a lot of pull, even with the police department.

But Andrea can’t let go. She continues to dig into the backgrounds of the families of both the bride-to-be and Edward, her fiance´.

Rich and powerful people have secrets and apparently the Philbricks are no exception. As she delves into the family members, she begins to wonder if one of them could have been responsible for Hope’s untimely death.

The Philbrick’s housekeeper is biting her tongue in silence. She knows something. The bride’s parents, Preston and Penelope, have little to say. It doesn’t make sense.

Hope’s fiance’, Edward, is beyond consolation — or is he?  Andrea’s senses tell her he’s either hiding something or covering for someone, perhaps for a brother who runs with his own crowd:  High-end gambling.  Expensive cars.  Life in the fast lane.

This page turner will keep you engaged as you follow along with Detective Stuart and her partner while they quietly, against orders, keep pushing forward on a case that is considered closed.

Possible motives and plenty of suspects will keep you on the hook until the very end.  The Lost Hours weaves a tale of lies and half truths.  As for Detective Stuart, this case hits her hard, dredging up her own past traumas that were never laid to rest.

Detective Stuart finds herself in a game of cat-and-mouse with a cold-blooded killer.  Arrogance knows no limits for someone who has committed heinous crimes in the past, yet still walks guiltlessly free in the present.  And Detective Stuart isn’t going to let go, no matter the price, until justice is served.

The Lost Hours by Lynn Tavernier features well-developed characters, and a savvy plot with a blinding twist. It’s a perfect mystery/thriller for a lazy weekend at home – perhaps even snuggled under the covers with a good cup of coffee.

A copy of this book and cover photo were provided by Crooked Lane Books.