I like this author but for some reason I just could not read this book. I have tried on three separate occasions now. I finally gave the book up as each time I don't seem to be making any progress. I was not intrigued by anything happening in the story. In fact, it seemed to be marshmallow fluff. There was not much of a strong substance. It sounds good but when you actually try it, it is not that satisfying. I could not tell you what this book was all about and I just put this book down for the last time the other day. ( )

Stained glass restoration artist Mira Gallier is on the verge of having it all--again. The love of a good man. Professional success. And finally, after years of pain at the loss of her husband to Hurricane Katrina, peace and emotional stability. But a new nightmare begins when a strange man called "The Preacher' attacks her, and a terrifying chain of events is set in motion: the Preacher is found dead, the first of seven windows Mira restored after Katrina is vandalized, and her house is broken into.

As Mira's windows are targeted one-by-one, her personal life begins to shatter as well. She catches a glimpse of her dead husband in a crowd, then he's gone. She hears his voice on the phone, telling her something only he could know. She begins to doubt herself--and the man she's falling in love with. When Mira's assistant is brutally murdered, her nude body found posed in the dappled colored light of Mira's prize restoration, she becomes the focus of the police's investigation. As "evidence' against her mounts and with no one to turn to, Mira races to prove she's neither a murderer nor losing her grip on sanity.

My Thoughts:

Erica Spindler is one of my favourite authors in the romantic suspense genre along with Sandra Brown and Tami Hoag.

This story features Spencer Malone and Stacy Killian that have both appeared in other books ( See Jane Die and Killer Takes All ). The book is an OK read with the usual twists and turns but I have to say that it isn’t the best by Ms Spindler. I didn’t guess who was commiting the crimes but as the body count rises it didn’t leave many people left to have a good guess. The story I think is missing that sexual spark between characters. It all ends well and everybody can go home for tea and to fight another crime.

If you don’t enjoy this book and you are new to Erica Spindler don’t be put off and grab one of her earlier works. I would highly recommend ‘Shocking Pink’. ( )

Mira Gallier works with stained glass windows, restoring windows damaged by Hurricane Katrina. It's become her mission, focusing on it as she still can't move on from her husband's death due to that storm six years ago.

People are being murdered by a religious zealot and she's the only link between them. She first meets the police as a victim of a crime, but later becomes one of two likely suspects in the murders. At the same time she has to question her sanity when it appears that her dead husband might not be dead after all. It certainly seems like he's been in the house. And it seems everyone has secrets, so who does Mira trust?

The book didn't do much for me. Psychological thriller? It probably would have been if I'd had any feelings for the characters. As it was the only characters I found interesting were the Malone brothers and Spencer's fiancé. I had not read any other books by this author but I suspect the Malones have been featured in prior books.

Mira remembers only the good about her husband and has a difficult time seeing the bigger picture of her marriage. This is a huge part of the story. And while seeing her finally able to let go and move on is good, the theme becomes old before we get there.

What I did appreciate were the number of twists in the story and not being able to guess beforehand who the serial killer is, as well as a couple of the side stories

I set it aside on four separate occasions, beginning with page 4. Religious enthusiasts are a real turn off for me. Thankfully only a small part of the book is written with these voices, but it was the reason for putting the book down the first time when only in a few pages. The first third of the book is pretty slow, but does eventually pick up.

Reviewed for Amazon Vine Voice ( )

Erica Spindler has long been one of my favorite authors and she reminds me why with her newest release. Set in New Orleans, Spindler captures both the destruction and the spirit of the location. The characters are well-developed and made me care what happened to them. As the plot builds, so does the suspense. And just when you think you know something, a twist takes you in a whole new direction.

Some of the characters in this one carry on from earlier novels. But this is easily read as a stand-alone. ( )