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Dead Giveaway
A Yellow Rose mystery

by Leanne Sweeney



      Texas heiress Abby Rose has used her inheritance to help adopted people find their natural parents. As a new PI, she looks for answers.

Her latest case is Will Knight, a superstar college athlete. As an infant, he had been abandoned on the doorstep of Verna Mae, who wanted to keep him, but whose husband wouldn't agree because the infant was black. Knight was adopted by a white family, and only recently learned that he was adopted and is the product of a mixed-race couple. He wants to learn who his birth parents are and why he was abandoned. Abby questions Verna Mae, but before any information is revealed, she is murdered.

Verna Mae had been obsessed with Will and had scrapbooks and photos following his life. These give Abby clues which send her to visit the prison in Huntsville, where she finds a prisoner who for years has declared his innocence. He had connections with the daughter of a religious group who may have been Will's mother. He had been convicted of the murder of a member of the group. Abby finds deceit and cover-ups of family secrets which had destroyed several lives until she is able to find the truth about Knight's birth and parents.

This is a fast-moving story about Abby's persistent search for the truth despite many obstacles and dangers. She is a likeable, caring addition to the world of female PI's. Her compassion and care for Thaddeus, Will's grandfather is heartwarming. The plot is well developed with characters who are people you would like to meet and know.

This is a quick read, excellent for a few hours of escapism.

The Book

Signet/ New American Library
November 2005
Paperback
045121708X
Mystery
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Excerpt
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The Reviewer

Barbara Buhrer
Reviewed 2006
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© 2006 MyShelf.com