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Did not realize that this was a mystery psycho story. Good discussions on if murderers on death row deserve attorney rights. Could not believe that her sister Willa could have an affair with Kate's husband that would be more than a one night stand. Felt the kids thoughts were well written and added to the tension. Amazed how much the kids bonded with Kate immediately, liked the attorney's father and his role. Suspected some of the ending but still held surprises. ( )

Romance AND suspense!!!

I have found a new author for my list of 'favorites'! This book has it all...romance, suspense, grief...
The main chararcters are a grieving sister, and the defender of the man she believes killed her baby sister. They meet when she tries to get answers from him. Their is immediately an attraction and a distancing for professional reasons. We learn that each has grief in their past relationships and some things in common. Throw in two loveable kids who are grieving their mother's death and dealing with having a 'hated' defense attorney for a father.
Is she right....did the serial killer add her sister to his list? Is her life in danger? You will find the answers, but not until after a lot of suspense! Read and enjoy!
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Beneath his calm and controlled demeanor, attorney John O'Rourke is a man whose life is in turmoil. Since his wife's death, he has been juggling the rigors of a controversial capital murder case and the demands of raising two children. Eleven-year-old Maggie's crooked bangs and rumpled clothes eloquently reproach John's earnest but haphazard attempts at mothering. Teddy, John's stalwart fourteen-year-old, has quietly assumed responsibilities that are far too weighty for his young shoulders, as he longs for the way things used to be and studiously tries to ignore the hostility that swirls around his family since his father took on the defense of a killer whose crimes have rocked Connecticut.

A brick thrown through the window one autumn morning signals a dangerous new level of hatred. But a quieter event also takes place that day. A woman arrives on the O'Rourke doorstep to find a household on the brink of chaos but brimming with love - and, she hopes, answers.

Kate Harris is searching for the key to her own mystery. Six months ago her younger sister fled far from their beloved home following a devastating confrontation. After mailing a single postcard from the New England shore, Willa Harris vanished. With only a postmark to go on, Kate takes a leave of absence from her job as a marine biologist to come to the seaside Willa adored - and discovers the one man who may be able to help her.

I found that this book was just alright with me - not my favorite book, but quite well-written in my opinion. There were the usual dramatic plot twists throughout the story, with a few eyebrow-raising coincidences along the way. It was still a very nice reading experience for me. The mystery was not all that believable to me, but that may just mean that I have become an extremely hard-bitten reader of mysteries. I think that I definitely want to continue reading Luanne Rice, however, I give The Secret Hour an A! ( )

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