Book Review: A Breath Away

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

A Breath Away     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Rita Herron
Class/Genre:   Romance   Mystery   Supernatural   Police Procedural   Romantic Suspense
HQN, May 2005, $5.99, 384 pp.

In Crow’s Landing, Tennessee eight years old Violet Baker considers Darlene Monroe her best friend. When Violet envisions someone assaulting Darlene, she turns to her father to help her pal, but instead he sends her away to live with relatives. Darlene is murdered and Violet feels she failed her friend.

Two decades later Violet returns to Crow’s Landing because she has been seeing things that she feels will solve the cold case murder of Darlene. Local Sheriff Grady Monroe, Darlene’s half-brother, wants Violet to leave because he somewhat blames her for his sibling’s homicide and does not trust her “second sense”; deep in his heart he also fears his attraction to Violet. As she begins to follow her visions, he needs to protect her from someone who targets her as his victim not so much to keep his secrets hidden, but because of an obsession.

A BREATH AWAY is a terrific supernatural police procedural romance. Violet is an interesting protagonist as she sees visions, suffers guilt over failing her best friend though she was only a child at the time and falls in love with someone who seemingly wants her to leave town because he blames her for his sister’s death. Grady knows he is unfair to hold Violet culpable, but cannot help himself. Falling in love with her feels right but comes with guilt. Though the motive of the killer appears weak, readers will appreciate this tense romantic suspense propelled by the lead duo.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner