BLOODLINES

Author: Dinah McCall ISBN: 0778321614 4/2005 SUSPENSE Publisher: MIRA

WILL A TERRIBLE CRIME FINALLY BE REVEALED? Twenty-five years ago Olivia Sealy was kidnapped for ransom. Today she has no memory of the terrible event, yet an uneasy feeling still haunts her—a fear that is realized when an infant's skeleton is found and a connection is made to Olivia's past. As news of the discovery makes headlines, Olivia and the people close to her suddenly become targets for a murderer bent on revenge. Still stunned by the revelation and its implications, Olivia puts her trust in Trey Bonney, the detective assigned to the case. But neither counts on a madman who may hold the answer to the twenty-five-year-old mystery—a secret someone hoped was buried for good.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

If you think the mystery in BLOODLINES is too outrageously bizarre to be believable, guess again. As an addict to investigative true crime shows on CourtTV, The Discovery Channel and A&E (not to mention all those fictional cop shows), I can attest that the suspense plot is shockingly believable.

And extremely well-done.

In fact, the suspense aspect is the definite highlight of BLOODLINES. Ms. McCall has created a page-turning, on-the-edge-your-seat thriller with a number of twists that should keep readers guessing until the end. This plot-driven story follows the hero, police detective Trey Bonney, as he tries to piece together a 25-year-old cold case murder (that was never reported) and connect it with a 25-year-old highly publicized kidnapping. Are these cases connected? Is Olivia Sealy, the heroine, really the heiress to the Sealy fortune? No, I'm not saying more because to do so would give away too much of the story.

On the downside, the characters in this story are pretty standard stock. There isn't a lot of depth to any of the main characters and particularly the romantic couple. Trey is Ms. McCall's signature hero—one who embodies many code of the west traits. His dedication to his job, his honorable intentions and protectiveness toward Olivia make him a nice character—if on the mild side. The heroine is nice if rather superficial.

The rekindled romance really isn't sizzling or exciting, but somehow this love affair works within the confines of BLOODLINES because it doesn't distract from the real gem, the mystery.

All in all, BLOODLINES is a satisfying read. One I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to puzzle lovers and romantic suspense devotees.

Debbie Jett