by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an EBOOK copy of Lying Blind, or a paperback copy of one of the earlier books in the series. We also have a link to order it from Amazon.

When Pasadena Homicide/Assault Police Detective Nan Vining is called to the scene of a drowning at the Casa de las Ventanas estate, she immediately knows something is hinky. Not only is the blind owner of the home, Teddy Sexton, making inappropriate jokes and not taking the crime seriously, he is acting flirtatious and a little too touchy with Nan. Teddy’s assistant/brother-in-law as well has Nan are on full alert, as the ex-con Floyd Johansing is so twitchy and ready to flee that he practically oozes guilt. Everyone on scene is lying to Nan, and that includes the first respondent Sergeant Jim Kissick, Nan’s boyfriend and a man with far too much history with the Sexton family. While Teddy and Floyd deny any knowledge of the young woman floating in the infinity pool, Jim is the one to point out her obvious resemblance to woman he initially thought was the corpse. The deceased could be a much younger version of Rebecca Sexton, who is Teddy’s wife, Floyd’s sister…and Jim’s ex-fiancé.

The more Nan learns about Jim and his connection to the Sextons, the less she trusts them. Jim stuns her with the news that not only were Teddy, Floyd, Becca, and Jim friends in college, their connection broke the night playboy Teddy crashed his car in the accident that cost him his sight. Teddy has used an alternative facts version to craft a best-selling memoir, which he uses to justify his transformed life that supports charities and new age thinking. Nan is suspicious of his motivations and the rest of the Sextons, and the discovery of another body linked to the time of their college years does nothing to alleviate her wariness.

This is another first-rate police procedure that follows the investigations led by the strong, dedicated, and very sharp Detective Nan Vining. Past traumas, both on and off the job, have made her a better investigator and the mother of a teenaged daughter. The California setting comes alive as Nan is forced to delve into the elite and wealthy families who have more than their share of dirty secrets. Everyone is lying; the only question will be learning what they are lying about. What is thoroughly enjoyable to witness is Nan’s focus and clear thought-processes, as she is never deceived by the pretty veneer of the pretentious residents. The plot swiftly hurtles forward even as it takes time to explore Nan’s own personal life, which is being unsettled by her distrust of Jim and a new investigator on the scene. An extremely satisfying conclusion rewards readers by highlighting Nan’s intelligence as an investigator, promising even more exploration of Nan’s professional and personal life.

To enter to win an e-book (open to all) copy of Lying Blind or a signed paperback (US only) of one of the first four books in the Nan Vining series (The First Cut, Cut to the Quick, The Deepest Cut, or Love Kills), winner’s choice, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “blind,” or comment on this article. Be sure to include which you want. A winner will be chosen March 25, 2017. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.

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Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.