by Cynthia Chow

Details on how to win a copy of Black Cat Legacy at the end of this review.

After ending her marriage to a philandering husband, Kimberlee Larsen takes her young daughter, Amanda, to Oregon and inadvertently finds herself back in Fern Lake, the site of a family tragedy she does not even remember occurring. While Kimberlee had always been advised that some secrets should never be told, her own curiosity and recurring memories force her to explore the past, even at the cost of destroying her peace and risking everything she values in the present.

Also descending on the Fern Lake cabins is Brett Clarke, an ambitious and somewhat callous true- crime author, hungry for his next book and all too-willing to manipulate women with his charm and good looks. He has no one else to blame when he becomes the obsession of police officer, Dorian Dilman, a somewhat predatory bombshell who nonetheless proves to be a dedicated detective with a loyal and very capable K-9 companion. What Brett definitely couldn’t expect was to find himself as entranced by Kimberlee herself as he is with her secrets, and as the trio uncover the mysteries behind a twenty-five year-old murder, they will all have to re-evaluate their perceptions of the past and their own paths for their futures.

This novel by Elaine Faber blends romance with mystery and the appearance of a mystical line of cats adds an intriguing element of the fantasy. Characters are developed strongly as the plot progresses and even initially unlikable individuals become sympathetic and appealing. A compelling plot, engaging characters, and a very strong romantic thread will entertain fans of this suspenseful gothic novel.

To enter to win a copy of Black Cat Legacy, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “cat,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen March 29, 2014. U.S. residents only.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & short stories in our mystery section.

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).