2 3/4 stars
Seven years after the murder of her husband while on their honeymoon, Abigail Browning is still searching for answers to his death. After a mysterious phone call on her wedding anniversary, she is moved to investigate deeper into his murder. She returns to the scene of the crime and upsets the locals who had known her husband all his life.

Although Carla Neggers is classified as a romance writer, in my opinion, this is NOT a romance. This is a mystery/suspense book. Yes, there is a couple in the book, but it is secondary (or further down the list) to the main story.

I was intrigued by the idea of the story, but something seemed to be missing throughout and I wasn't sure what it was. I was interested in solving the mystery, which is what kept me reading. What bothered me, I realized near the end, were the characters. I felt no connection to them at all. Not a single character drew me in. They all seemed so flat. Even Abigail was flat. I should have been able to find some connection to the main character who tragically lost her husband, but nope, nothing.

Overall, the feeling I got from this book was "blah." It just coasted along...no real excitement and no real low, either. I felt nothing. When all was revealed, I wasn't shocked, but almost relieved to have finally gotten there. The story was there, but it last a good execution bringing the reader into the story. I just didn't "feel" it. ( )

Although this was published by a Harlequin imprint, the focus is primarily on Abigail solving the mystery of her husband's death and coming to terms with her grief. The focus on the thriller aspects of the story doesn't mean that the love story is neglected, though. There is a certain rightness in how the romance between Owen and Abigail just clicks into place.

Their feelings have slowly been growing over the last seven years despite grief and distance, and when they finally acknowledge how they feel, things just spring into place for them. It wasn't fairy-tale simple, but they also didn't have to overcome a ton of internal conflict or issues - that wasn't the point of the story.

As to the mystery, I thought it was nicely done. It wasn't overly telegraphed, But looking back there was background laid for it. I might have caught on had I been trying harder. All in all, I thought it was a good suspenseful read,

More at my blog. ( )

Abigail returns to Maine to find the killer of her murdered husband, Chris. After only being married for 4 days, he was gunned down. Abigail is determined to solve this case that has remained open for 7 years.

I chose this book to fulfill the "N" Author requirement for the A ~ Z Reading Challenge. I only finished it for that purpose as well, because under other circumstances this would have become a DNF read. The storyline seemed like something I would enjoy, but the manner in which it was solved was not. The characters were unappealing and the assumptions made throughout the book were hard to swallow. I will not even attempt to read another Neggers book. (2/5)

Originally posted on: "Thoughts of Joy..." ( )

While on her honeymoon at her husband's family cottage on the rocky main coast, Abigail Browning is brutally attacked and robbed and her husband is murdered. Seven years later, on her wedding anniversary, Abigail received a mysterious phone call in the restaurant in which she is dining telling her that "things are channging" in Maine. Now a NY detective, Abigail returns to the island determined to solve the murder of her husband. I was hooked from the first page in this entertaining mystery with it dash to romance. ( )

This was very good. A high level of suspense. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see the outcome. ( )