Thursday, February 26, 2015

Hush Hush - Laura Lippman

Hush Hush
Laura Lippman
Morrow, Feb 24 2015, $26.99
ISBN: 9780062083425

Twelve years ago, Melisandre Harris Dawes left her infant daughter to die in an overheated car.  The jury accepted her postpartum psychosis defense and found her not guilty by reason of insanity.  Divorcing her husband Stephen and legally giving him custody of their two other children (five years old Alanna and three years old Ruby), Melisandre moved overseas.

With a camera-person poised to film her, Melisandre returns to Baltimore allegedly to reconnect with her teenage daughters while also creating an insanity defense documentary.  Through attorney Tyner Gray, Melisandre hires hesitant Tess Monaghan and her partner Sandy Sanchez (see After I'm Gone) to provide personal security.  While many locals starting with the ex, his wife and her kids fume over an infanticide killer’s return; someone demonstrates their rage over the injustice by threatening to harm Melisandre and her security team.

The twelfth Tess Monaghan Private Investigator mystery combines an insightful family drama from the maternal viewpoint (including Tess’ concerns re her toddler and Melisandre’s need to reconnect), a profound complex look at the insanity plea and an appealing mystery.  Series fans will appreciate Tess’ latest winner (see The Girl in the Green Raincoat).


Harriet Klausner

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