Title: Not My Boy by Kelly Simmons
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Genre: Contemporary, Domestic Mystery, Suspense
Length: 285 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
Who will you cross to protect your own?
When Hannah packs up her past and moves to the cottage next-door to her sister, she hopes the luxe neighborhood and close family ties will be the perfect escape for her son and the shadows that trail them. But when a young girl goes missing days after they unload their final boxes and her son is quickly thrown under suspicion, Hannah must do whatever it takes to protect her child.
Even if that means pointing the blame her sister’s way instead.
With investigators swarming and neighborhood scrutiny closing in, the divide between two sisters grows. As one fiercely defends her husband, the other shields her boy from the crime, keeping quiet the secrets that might unravel it all.
And all the while, one young girl has vanished, and someone is to blame.
Review:
Not My Boy by Kelly Simmons is an enthralling domestic mystery.
Hannah Sawyer and her twelve year old son Miles have just moved to a new house in a wealthy enclave. They are thrilled to now live next door to her sister Hillary, brother-in-law Ben and 11 year old niece Morgan. Their mother Eva also lives nearby. When 6 year old Liza Harris is murdered, Detectives Thompson and Carelli first turn their attention to Miles before setting their sights on Ben. The once close sisters are now on opposite sides as they ferociously protect their loved ones.
Hannah is delighted at the chance for a new beginning following her divorce. She is also grateful for the opportunity for Miles to begin school with a clean slate. Hannah and Hillary have always been close and they are happy their children will now grow up together. While Hillary and Ben have money to spare, Hannah is not quite as lucky. She works hard to build up her clientele as she and Miles settle into their new life.
Unfortunately the scrutiny by Detectives Thompson and Carelli does not go unnoticed in their gossipy neighborhood. Hannah is very protective of Miles so she does everything she can to keep his secrets from being exposed. When Ben falls under suspicion, Hannah breathes a sigh of relief although she cannot believe he has anything to do with Liza’s murder. Instead of being at one another’s throats, will Hannah and Hillary join forces to try to unmask a killer?
Unfolding from Eva and Hannah’s points of view, Not My Boy is a multi-layered domestic mystery that is impossible to put down. The characters are well developed with relatable strengths and weaknesses. The storyline is engaging with plenty of unexpected secrets. With the tension growing with each chapter, Kelly Simmons keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the murderer’s identity is exposed. Greatly enjoyed and highly recommend to fans of the genre.
