Title: Strangers She Knows by Christina Dodd
Cape Charade Series Book Three
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
I have three deadly problems:
1. I’ve seriously offended a maniacal killer.
2. I just had a bullet removed from my brain.
3. My new daughter is growing up too fast–and she’s in the line of fire.
Living on an obscure, technology-free island off California means safety from the murderer who hunts Kellen Adams and her new family…. Or does it? Family time becomes terror-time, and at last, alone, Kellen faces a killer playing a cruel game. Only one can survive, and Kellen knows who must win…and who must die.
Review:
Strangers She Knows by Christina Dodd is an entertaining novel with a slight suspense element. This final book in the Cape Charade series can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend the two previous works as well.
Kellen Adams, husband Max Di Luca and their ten year old daughter Rae relocate to the family’s isolated, private island off the coast of California in order to escape a stalker out for revenge. In an attempt to keep their location under wraps, the only other people on the island are housekeeper Olympia Paollergio and caretakers Jamie and Dylan Conklin. Kellen and Max finally get to the opportunity to enjoy married life since the majority of their two year marriage has been dedicated to Kellen’s recovery from brain surgery. Kellen is also delighted for the chance to get closer to Rae and finally cement their mother/daughter relationship. With a storm headed their way, a violent death and the certainty Kellen’s stalker has caught up with them, will the Di Luca family escape before it is too late?
Kellen has had a few rough years and she is ready to enjoy her family. With her rehabilitation mostly behind her, she is enjoying the transformation in her relationship with Rae. She is also working hard to convince Max that she is not a fragile flower in need of careful handling. When Kellen discovers her murderous nemesis has escaped prison and plans to exact revenge on her and her family, she defers to Max’s plans against her better judgment. Will her fears for their safety be proven right?
With little to do on the island since they are completely unplugged from the outside world, Kellen and Rae enjoy exploring the spooky mansion where they are living. The discovery of the one of the former occupants diary provides them with an intriguing glimpse into the young woman’s life during the 1940s. These passages are quite engrossing and add just a hint of mystery to the unfolding story.
Strangers She Knows is an interesting novel but the suspense aspect of the storyline is very understated. Some of the plot is a bit predictable due to some eye-rolling decisions by Max and Rae. Despite her few remaining health issues, Kellen proves to be a worthy adversary when she and her stalker finally come face to face. Christina Dodd brings the stalker part of the storyline to an action-packed, explosive conclusion. Old and new fans are sure to enjoy this final installment in the Cape Charade series.
