Book Review: Strange Bedfellows

Reviewed By: Cheryl - RAM

[5 stars]

Strange Bedfellows Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Paula L. Woods
Class/Genre: Mystery Police Procedural Woman Main Character Ethnic
Series: Charlotte Justice # 4

Even those who accept absolute moral standards can be ambivalent about lying. Is it unequivocally wrong - or is lying for the benefit of others morally acceptable? Should one lie about the attractiveness of a dress to protect the feelings of the wearer? Simply not mention one's true opinions or knowledge to avoid conflict and hurt feelings within the family? Or protect the weak - the children and the bereaved - by hiding or lying about the incidents and relationships that are at the core of their lives? 'Strange Bedfellows' follows the interconnected trails of lies and deceit in police detective Charlotte Justice's personal and professional life.

Charlotte, who has suffered much, is struggling to offer the police psychologist just enough cooperation to be permitted to remain on the job without actually opening up to him very much about her anger and fears. Her personal and family relationships, as well as her career, are coming apart just as interest in a high profile cold case with links to the black community flares up. In Charlotte, Woods has created an excellent portrait of a strong woman under almost unendurable stress.

Layer after layer of revelations must be uncovered before the overlapping personal and professional mysteries are resolved. The author maintains the suspense right to the end of the novel. Race relations in Los Angeles specifically and, to some extent, in the United States generally, contribute to the plot as well as the setting, adding interest and depth to the story.

The interesting and well-developed characters put this book in a class above many novels. The results of their choices between honesty and lies, openness and concealment, raise as many questions as they answer about the ethics of lying.

Cheryl - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Cheryl - RAM