Book Review: To Trust a Stranger

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

To Trust a Stranger     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon US ADOBE Reader eBook Amazon US MSReader eBook Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Karen Robards
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Pocket, Dec 2001, $25.00, 384 pp.

After several years of marriage, Julie Carlson realizes that her spouse Sid slips out every evening at midnight when he thinks she is fast asleep. Julie figures Sid is cheating and plans to catch him with his lover. She pretends to sleep and when he leaves follow him only to lose him. When her car is stolen, transvestite Mac McQuarry rescues her.

Julie assumes her savior is gay, but is unaware that Mac is an undercover private investigator trying to prove Sid is dirty with mob ties. Sid’s friends probably killed his first wife and Mac’s brother, and ruined the latter’s police career. Mac uses Julie to get at Sid, but soon realizes that the mob wants him and Julie dead.

TO TRUST A STRANGER is an exciting romantic suspense novel that never slows down, as Sid and his pals need Julie and Mac dead. Though a taut thriller, the weakness of the plot lies in the intrepid Julie, who remained oblivious for years as to how cruel her spouse was until she decides to investigate his alleged cheating. Karen Robards has written a terse tale, but some of the key characters are too malicious to care what happens to them.

Harriet Klausner

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