Although all the Cedar Cove 'regulars' appear, there is particular focus on private detective Roy McAfee, a former Seattle cop, and his wife, Corrie. Roy and Corrie have been receiving anonymous messages for some time, and become more determined than ever to find out who's sending them. Their daughter, Linette, gets a job at the new medical clinic; she's happy to be in Cedar Cove but less than thrilled that Corrie's bought her a date at the previous summer's Dog and Bachelor Auction. Linette's infatuated with a doctor at the clinic and not interested in horse trainer Cal Washburn.
Gloria is also the daughter Corrie had while she and Roy were estranged in college; Roy was the father, but Corrie gave the child up for adoption without telling him at the time. Gloria recently learned that they're her birth parents and moved to Cedar Cove because of them.
There are further complications when the doctor Linette thinks she's fallen in love with doesn't return her interest and actually prefers Gloria. In the meanwhile, Linette goes out with Cal. Grace Sherman and rancher Cliff Harding (Cal's boss) continue their on-again, off-again relationship and Cecilia Randall is back at work for Zachary Cox, accountant, and enjoying her pregnancy although her husband, Ian, is out at sea on a Navy assignment.
Cecilia is close to Zach's daughter, Allison, and concerned about Allison's relationship with her Goth boyfriend, Anson. Anson, who lives in a nearby trailer park with his shiftless mother, burns down a shed in the town park and comes to Allison to confess what he's done. Zach intercedes on his behalf--with the proviso that Anson and Allison not see each other anymore. They struggle to keep their word.
Maryellen (Grace's daughter) and Jon Bowman have recovered from their problems, including the miscarriage--and then Maryellen is pregnant again. Only this is a difficult pregnancy and her doctor prescribes complete bed rest. Her husband can't manage everything--his own work, the household, their toddler--and after several arguments, gives in to Maryellen and allows his parents to come and help. (He'd been estranged from them because of their betrayal of him years ago.)
Olivia Griffin, family court judge and mother of Justine, has remarried to Jack Griffin, is the local newspaper editor. Life is good, except that Olivia is concerned about Jack's health--a concern that proves to be all-too-accurate, as Jack has a massive heart attack. He survives only because of the proximity of the new clinic--a clinic Olivia had at one time considered unnecessary.
Charlotte Rhodes (Olivia's mother) and her new husband, Ben, are settling into married life. Charlotte knows Ben is disappointed in his adult sons, especially David, but encourages him to maintain the relationship. David has frequently 'borrowed' money from Ben, none of which he's ever repaid, and Ben refuses to lend him any more. David plays on Charlotte's good nature and asks to meet her privately for lunch at The Lighthouse, the best restaurant in town. There he persuades her to 'lend' him a considerable sum of money--but Justine catches wind of this and interferes. David drives off in a fury.
One spring night, The Lighthouse burns down. It's clearly arson--and Anson is the most likely suspect. He was recently fired from the restaurant, he'd committed arson before...and he has run away. Allison insists he's innocent despite all the circumstantial evidence. She tries to hire Roy to prove his innocence and to find him.
As usual, there's always something unresolved that's addressed in the next book. In the upcoming 6 Rainier Drive we'll learn who was responsible for the fire, where Anson is and why--and what Justine and Seth will do next.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Love Audio Books
I have just started listening to audio books.I love them,sure makes house cleaning go a lot faster.
Rating: - Better Than the Previous One
Though better than the previous one, this series is just getting too syrupy for me. And if Macomber is going to have a teenager as a character she should never have them putting on a housecoat - a robe, a cover-up, but nothing that sounds as old as something that their grandmother would wear.
This book covers the lives of Corrie and Roy, the local private investigator that have been receiving gift baskets and postcards with subtle messages. Seems that there is a little secret in their ... Read More
Rating: - Enjoying the series
We continue to enjoy the seriex and look forward to the 6th, 7th and 8th book we know are coming.
Rating: - So sit back and enjoy the gossip
Another Deb Macomber novel another five stars for the queen of contemporary romance. Strange deliveries plague the couple residing at 50 Harbor Street. But this mystery is only the beginning for the virus free McAfees ( a little humor ) as the background of Roy is brought forth in the town of Cedar Cove. But what would a Cedar Cove book be without the juicy gossip and elicit affairs? Enter Linette who is in hot pursuit of a young physician who ignores her in favor of her friend. Sizzling. As usual, Deb ... Read More
Rating: - Great book!
I truly enjoyed this book and love the way the author writes her novels in sharing the lives of different characters.
- Love Audio Books
- Better Than the Previous One
