Readers should definitely start with the first book in the series, The Perfect Marriage.
Warning: This review will contain spoilers for 'The Perfect Marriage.'
*****
Virginia/Washington D.C. attorney Sarah Morgan can't seem to find a good man.
Sarah's first husband, writer Adam Morgan, had a long-term affair with a woman named Kelly Summers.
Kelly was murdered, Adam was arrested, and Sarah was her husband's defense attorney. Sarah fought hard, but Adam was convicted and sentenced to death. Adam's mother, Eleanor, was devastated and blamed Sarah for Adam's fate.
It's now eleven years after Adam's conviction, and Sarah is married to a lawyer named Bob Miller.
Sarah and Bob have a 9-year-old daughter called Summer, a sweet girl who's on a swim team.
Sarah recently learned Bob cheated on her with a sexy waitress called Stacy Howard, and Sarah IMMEDIATELY filed for divorce.
Bob begged to reconcile, Sarah absolutely refused, and as a result, Bob is vengefully trying to get custody of Summer.
In the midst of this rumpus, it's revealed that Adam Morgan's trial for killing Kelly Summers was badly flawed. New DNA evidence reveals that former Sheriff Ryan Stevens, who helped convict Adam, was sleeping with the victim.
Thus the Kelly Summers case is being re-opened under the auspices of Sheriff Marcus Hudson and Chief Deputy Pam Olsen.
Right after the Kelly Summers' case is re-opened, former Sheriff Stevens - a raging alcoholic who was involved in a vehicular homicide - is murdered.
To add to the hullaballoo, the woman Bob slept with - Stacy Howard - has vanished. Stacy's text messages reveal she was meeting Bob on the day she disappeared, and Bob is brought in for questioning.
Bob, knowing how vindictive Sarah can be, is convinced Sarah did something to Stacy, and is planning to frame him. So Bob devises his own scheme to get Sarah before she gets him.
Bob is right about Sarah's plans for retribution, and she's a FORMIDABLE opponent....a woman you don't want to get on the wrong side of.
All this is rather complicated, so to simplify: Sarah and Bob are plotting against each other, and Sheriff Hudson and Chief Deputy Olsen have three cases to investigate:
Kelly Summers death over a decade ago;
Ryan Stevens recent murder;
Stacy Howard's recent disappearance.
The book is narrated in the alternating voices of Sarah, Bob, Sheriff Hudson, and other characters. Thus we follow along with the police inquires and also observe the actions of Sarah and Bob - who are determined to destroy each other. The cat-and-mouse game between Sarah and Bob is riveting, but some of their stratagems require a HUGE suspension of disbelief.
Characters who add interest to the story include:
⦿ Jess: Sarah Morgan's divorce lawyer.
⦿ Brad: Bob Miller's divorce lawyer.
⦿ Alejandro Perez: an ex-convict who's being assisted by Sarah's non-profit corporation, The Morgan Foundation. The foundation gives former felons a chance to rebuild their lives, and (so far) has a 100% success rate. Alejandro is a handsome hunk who catches Sarah's eye.
⦿ Anne Davis: The Morgan Foundation's office manager, who'll do anything to help Sarah.
⦿ Carissa Brooks: Bob's hairdresser, who's being stalked by her abusive ex-husband.
Geneva Rose's books certainly highlight the dark side of human nature. That said, the emotions are believable, though as I noted above, the actions not so much. It appears Rose might be planning a third book in the series, which I'd probably read to see what some of these folks get up to next.
I listened to the audiobook - narrated by Mozhan Navabi, Andrew Eiden, Adam Lazarre-White, J. S. Arquin, Brittany Pressley, and Andi Arndt - who do a fine job.
Rating: 3.5 stars
