When Stacy sees a prize-winning photo at an art gallery, lightning strikes. The picture - a shot of a bride on a beach holding a gun - triggers the idea for a story.
When Stacy researches the photo she learns that the picture was taken near Portland, Oregon ten years ago. The bride, Megan Cahill, was widowed on her wedding day when her wealthy husband Raymond Cahill was shot in their beach house.
Valuable collectibles were taken from Raymond's safe and Megan, who was severely shell-shocked and suffering from memory loss, somehow wandered off with a gun. Photographer Kathy Moran happened to be passing by, and got the picture.
The police considered Megan a suspect, but she was never charged, and neither was anyone else.
In order to research her book, Stacy pulls up stakes and moves to Oregon. She plans to interview people involved with the Cahill case before writing a fictionalized version of the incident.
In flashbacks we learn that photographer Kathy Moran - who took the bride's photo - started her career as a defense attorney. Fifteen years ago she outwitted a cocky assistant district attorney called Jack Booth, who was distracted by Kathy's beauty and sex appeal.
Jack was embarrassed by the incident and the upward trajectory of his career was affected.
Jack got some of his own back a few years later, when Kathy became a drug abuser and an embezzler. Kathy agreed to give up her law career to avoid prosecution, and - after rehab - became a successful photographer.
Jump ahead to Raymond Cahill's murder, and Jack is assisting the district attorney on the case. Since Kathy is a witness, she and Jack become re-acquainted, and Jack feels those sparks once again.
Meanwhile, Jack and his colleagues are investigating persons of interest in Raymond Cahill's murder. These include his wife Megan; Megan's first husband - an abusive former football player; Raymond's business enemies; a sadistic drug-dealing thug; thieves who target collectibles; etc.
However, as I mentioned above, no one is charged.
As Stacy digs into the Cahill case NOW, secrets are exposed.....and the killer is eventually unmasked.
Trigger warning: The story contains ugly scenes of sexual abuse, which don't ring true, but are still disturbing.
My early theory about the murderer(s) was partially correct, but for the wrong reasons.....so the author hoodwinked me successfully. 🙂
All in all, this is an enjoyable, if somewhat overly convoluted, mystery with a bit of romance. ❤ Recommended to fans of the genre.
Rating: 3 stars
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