We are getting near the end of the Harbor Pointe Inn book series releases, and the one we are celebrating today is from Joan Hall!
BLURB:
Suicide, accident, or murder?
After an argument with her fiancé, up-and-coming actress Leah Myers booked a room at the Harbor Pointe Inn. Near the end of her stay, someone found her body at the bottom of the nearby cliff. The police ruled her death a suicide.
Five years later, four people from Leah’s past visit the inn on the anniversary of her death. Her fiancé, her brother, her psychologist, and her close friend, Adele, who was a guest at Harbor Pointe the night Leah died.
Deputy Brad Sherman, assistant to the lead detective, has always believed something was amiss with the investigation. When he learns Leah’s former acquaintances are staying at the inn, he decides to look at the old case file.
The four guests soon learn each other’s identity and begin to discuss the events leading up to Leah’s demise. But someone doesn’t want them to know the truth. When Adele confesses she is haunted by the possibility she saw something important that fateful night, it puts her in grave danger.
Now it’s a race against time before she becomes the killer’s next victim.
MY REVIEW:
A cold case death has left many still dealing with the aftermath. Leah’s death was ruled as a suicide five years earlier. And now, on the anniversary of her death, four characters who had a deep relationship with her have gathered at the Harbor Pointe Inn in hopes of finding healing, redemption, and release of heavy guilt. I love that none of the characters knew each other prior to coming to the historic inn perched on the rocky cliffs of the Northern California coast.
Her fiance, Daryl, ex-NFL quarterback, is riddled with guilt. He should have gone with her to the inn and regrets the heated argument that turned out to be the last conversation he’d ever have with Leah.
Kevin, Leah’s brother, is there to resolve all doubt that Leah committed suicide and to help his grieving mother heal and move on.
Adele, Leah’s friend, isn’t sure why she is drawn there, but she’s seeking answers and to recall a blank period in her memory about the night Leah died.
Liz, Leah’s psychologist, is sure she failed Leah by not seeing the signs of depression and suicidal thoughts.
Brad, a local police officer, was there when witnesses were questioned on the night of Leah’s death, but he has doubts about the integrity of the investigation. Who is hiding something?
The author did a great job of setting up the story, introducing relatable characters, and throwing in red herrings in the unraveling of Leah’s death. I could not have been more surprised when the identity of the murderer was revealed. If you love a good mystery, the challenge of trying to put all the clues together, and a well-written story, you will no doubt enjoy this novella from Joan Hall!
If you’ve missed any of the books in this fantastic series, here’s the link: HARBOR POINTE
The Harbor Pointe Inn has loomed on California’s cliffs for generations of Hawthornes. For some, it’s been a blessing. For others, a curse. Travel through two centuries of stories to discover the old inn’s secrets.
