Presumed Guilty

The love story almost over-rode the mystery and made the story frustrating to follow. Those of us that love her forensic novels will find this one a little boring at times but I knew that she could pull this story out. I was almost wrong in this assumption since we had to deal with small town mentality...not really likable characters... and multiple suspects all with good reasons to murder her husband.

This is one of Ms. Gerritsen's early books that I grabbed on sale. While I like her later books better, I appreciate the Maine setting and her writing. The mystery was pretty good: Miranda has broken off her affair with her boss, a married man when his body is found with a knife in his chest on her bed. His brother arrives and becomes involved in finding clues about the murder. However, I didn't like the romance here. It detracts from the rest of the story, so I give this book 3 1/2 stars rounded up.

Tess Gerritsen is by far one of the best mystery/suspense authors. "Presumed Guilty" did not have the intense suspense as some of her medical thrillers but it was still enjoyable. It was well written and was an enjoyable mystery

Is it a murder mystery? Is it a whirlwind romance? Yes--and neither is particularly satisfying. In addition, there are too many loose ends left dangling at the end to suit me.

That evening, Miranda gets the third phonecall by her ex . He says he'll be there in 15 minutes. Miranda panicks and goes to the beach. After an hour, she has found the courage to go back to her home, she hopes he'll be gone. When she arrives, she doesn't see him. She goes to her bedroom and there he lays on the bed, naked and stabbed. With a knive from her kitchen! What happened? Who went into her house? Who wants to make her guilty for the murder on Richard?

I've read multiple books of Tess Gerritsen, also multiple that were published by Harlequin. This story has some romantic and some thrilling moments in the book. The story was okay, bit it didn't get me. I didn't find out who the killer was untill the end, but it didn't surprise me show more either. Sometime parts were written too long. I personally think it isn't one of Tess Gerritsens best books. show less

I definitely like her writing style and that's always what draws me in from the first few pages. I'm working my way through her books...she's still a relatively new and wonderful writer for me.

Utterly stupid, sorry to say. All characters are cardboard and the relationship between the main characters is based on nothing because he doesn't trust her until the very last moment, when it becomes clear she is innocent. I wouldn't want a partner like that. I couldn't understand why she wanted to get involved with him at all.
In the last part of the book the heroine behaves even more TSTL as she sets out to corrupt/steal evidence that is supposed to prove her innocence (personally I don't see why the author of the letters HAS to be the killer).The villain also behaves TSTL by not turning the tables on the heroine at that moment.
Grade: F