Sweetheart Deal
by: Claire Matturro
Published by: William Morrow
Buy From Amazon.com
Reviewed by Diane A Brown
If life was made to be simple, then Lilly Belle Cleary definitely missed the boat! While in the midst of a complex trial, she receives a phone call from her brother Dan. Unprepared for the astonishing news, Lilly is stunned.
Bugfest, Georgia is a small town. Keeping a secret is out of the question, so everyone knew Lilly Belle was coming home. She hated every step. When familiar landmarks passed by, unwanted memories rushed back. Growing up had been one traumatic experience after another. Many years ago Lilly escaped, ran away, never wanting to return. She still had nightmares. This was definitely a bad idea! When Lilly is forced to confront her past head on, it leads to surprising discoveries.
Her mother, currently hospitalized and sedated, has been charged with murder! Willette Rose Cleary was a recluse, never left her house and never let anyone inside. She had mental problems, but shooting someone to death didn’t seem plausible. However, the questionable evidence indicated otherwise. Unlicensed to practice law in Georgia, Lilly must trust her detective abilities and slick lawyer tactics to search out the truth.
Conspiracies, layered deceptions, and shocking behavior grip the small town of Bugfest. The tangled web Lilly must straighten gets more complicated the deeper she searches. Land developers try forcing sales, City Council members are on the take, and blackmail scandals emerge. Some of Bugfest’s most prominent citizens come under suspicion.
Things get worse. Willette’s life is threatened and another murder is committed. The town is in chaos. Suspicions keep everyone guessing at the facts. The elusive truth may go undiscovered as the mastermind attempts to flee Bugfest. Will Lilly Belle solve the mystery or will she be led astray?
Claire Matturro does a wonderful job keeping you hooked. Drama, suspense and a dash of humor wait around every bend.
Armchair Interview says: Sweetheart Deal has more twists and turns than the Nile River!
From our armchair to yours...
