Sunday, September 4, 2011

The Elusive Relation-Helen Macie Osterman

The Elusive Relation
Helen Macie Osterman
Five Star, Oct 12 2011, $25.95
ISBN: 9781432825119

In Chicago, elderly Emma Winberry receives a letter from the U.K. sent to her late husband Frank at their former address. The note inside comes from Lindsey Bellingham who claims she is the daughter of Frank’s brother Andrew. Lindsey further states her mom recently died and she lives with her ailing cousin Isabel but fears for their lives from someone threatening them. Emma responds back informing her that Frank died twelve years ago and she has no idea where to find Andrew.

Her inner Guardian Angel tells Emma to get involved. When Nate gets a speaking seminar in Paris, though he believes this is a scam, they decide to stop in England to meet Lindsey. The two Americans meet her in London and then in nearby Roydon ailing Isabel, who suffers from hypertrichosis. The visitors learn an American wants to buy Bellingham House, but Lindsey does not want to sell and someone is trying to extort money from her by threatening to harm Isabel.

When Emma’s granddaughter is injured, she returns to Chicago. However, Lindsey calls to tell her Isabel was kidnapped. Retuning to Roydon accompanied by her young friend Tracie Adams since Nate could not go with her. Emma becomes frantic when her companion is abducted.

The third Winberry paranormal cozy starring two likable lead characters on their second amateur sleuth case together (see The Accidental Sleuths and Stranger in the Opera House) is an entertaining twisting thriller. The story line is fast-paced while Emma becomes a frequent flyer heeding her Guardian Angel. The two subplots nicely blend together as Lindsey is the focus of each. Readers will enjoy this exciting tale of young women in peril.

Harriet Klausner

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