Vanish with the Rose

I have a favorite I reread every summer or so, a suspense by Barbara Michaels, that takes place during a Virginia spring. It's Vanish With the Rose.

The characters draw me back. This cast of four is outstanding.

It’s set in a rural, rundown mansion being renovated by a lively pair of elderly lottery winners who are offstage most of the book.

Andy, the hapless son of the endearing wife, is my favorite. Tall, gangly, talkative, he lives and bumbles on the page, with a history of saddling his mother and stepfather with “vintage” cars and animals that need a home. That includes Baby, a Saint Bernard trained to protect women. Her MO? Knock them down and recline on them until the danger passes.

Walt is a builder hired to do the work. Tall, muscled, prickly, he’s dragged into a dab of dishonesty by an attractive, cool Philly attorney, and it doesn't sit well.

Diana is searching for her younger brother. Brad worked for the former owner of the house, and disappeared from there. Diana has gained entry by posing as a landscape architect hired to recreate the gardens, especially the rose gardens--and it doesn't sit well. Plus, Diana is, for the first time, flying in the face of her powerful, domineering father to do this.

Fiercely independent Mary Jo has several jobs, including working for Andy’s parents, goes to school, and has an abusive ex-husband who turns up shooting.

Bring them all together in the old Musser mansion, season them with a little attraction, a dash of the paranormal, a spoonful of the history of roses, throw in a short, parallel historical story, and they start looking out for each other. Add a bevy of animals, and another keeper is born.

And every chapter begins with a lovely quote or verse about roses.

Like I said, a keeper.

Sharon K. Garner
Sanctuary, River of Dreams, Lokelani Nights, The Spaniard's Cross ( )

Diana comes to town as a rose expert, hiding the real reason. Her brother went missing at the house where she is, and she is determined to find out what happened. Along the way, she is joined by a battered ex-wife, a surly landscaper and the son of the owners.

This is a great read and one of my favorites. ( )