Review “LAST DAY” By Luanne Rice

From the exquisite opening, through twists and torment, this domestic thriller weaves an irresistible story of family and friends, trust and betrayal, love and murder.

The characters take turns telling the story. Kate Woodward is the sister of the dead woman, Beth Lathrop, who is seen in the beginning, lying pregnant and dead in her home. Kate and Beth belong to the family that has run the art museum in Black Hill, Connecticut, for several generations. And one of the most valuable paintings from their collection has been cut from its frame, missing.

Homicide detective Conor Reid has a history with the family. He was the officer who broke down the door to rescue Kate and Beth from the basement of the museum twenty-three years ago. They had been tied together with their mother to a cement post by intruders who stole the same painting that is now missing (and was later recovered). Their mother choked on her gag and was dead when the girls, teenagers at the time, were found.

Beth grew up to marry a man somewhat like their father—a smooth talker and an outsider to their social set, supported by the wife’s old money. Her best friend is Scotty, and their daughters are also best friends. Kate grew up to be a charter pilot along with her best friend, Lulu. The four have always remained close, thinking of themselves as the four points to a compass, dubbing themselves Compass Rose.

Detective Reid has remained smitten with Kate all these years. He wants badly to solve the case of Beth’s death and get close to Kate, but Kate has remained emotionally frozen since the day she emerged from the basement. The immediate suspect is Beth’s estranged husband, Pete, whose mistress recently had a baby. Beth was also pregnant when she was murdered. Reid zeroes in on Pete, but other suspects pop up. Quite a few, in fact.

Rice will keep you guessing until the very end, I promise.

Review “Last Day” by Luanne Rice

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