Unspoken
By Dee Henderson
This is the first Dee
Henderson book I’ve read. I was given a copy for review by the publisher in
return for my honest opinion.
This book is a little
romance, a little suspense, and a little mystery. I don’t think it succeeds at
any of them, although the mystery unfolded in layers. The whole pace of the
story was very slow moving.
Although I liked the
book, it didn’t keep me on the edge of my seat. There were what I’d “revelation
bombs” from time to time as more of Charlotte’s life is revealed.
Basic plot: Ruth Bazoni
was a kidnap victim in Chicago when she was a teenager. The fourth gang member
was never identified. She was found by the police only a few miles from her home
four years later. She changed her name to Charlotte Graham, and after spending
some years in Texas, is back in Chicago to deal with an inheritance from a
grandfather who previously had never acknowledged her existence (though her
mother was his daughter.)
She buys a store next
to Bryce Bishop, who owns a rather upscale coin dealership, and makes him a
proposition. Buy a group of coins from her or she’ll sell them in her shop
right next door, becoming his main competition. She plans to sell them way
beneath what they’re worth. Bryce doesn’t understand, but he buys them so she
won’t be a competitor.
Layer by layer is
peeled back, which is the mystery part, though very slow moving. We come to
find out many things about Charlotte’s life now, and about her past. Everyone’s
past catches up with them, and Charlotte’s does as well. The fourth kidnapper
eventually comes out of the woodwork. That’s the suspense part.
Two characters from the
previous book, Full Disclosure return
in this book – Paul and Ann Falcon. Ann helps Bryce sell the almost steady
supply of coins from Charlotte’s inheritance. Bryce buys group after group of
coins, each succeeding group more valuable than the last.
A surprise stipulation
of Charlotte’s inheritance involves a strange arrangement that involves Bryce. I won't spoil it for you. That’s the romance part –
between broken and fearful Charlotte and Bryce. It’s what keeps the pace slow,
but it must be that way because of her level of brokenness. Time heals.
God’s grace, patience, love,
and some of the hard things are addressed in the book. Bryce continually,
although it is hard for him at times, shows Charlotte extreme patience and
understanding.
If you like Dee’s work,
I’m sure you’ll like this. It didn’t blow me away, but the continual
“revelation bombs” about the size of Charlotte’s inheritance kept me
interested. Think “above all you could ask or think” and that will begin to
give you a clue.
I give it 3-1/2 stars, but I rounded it up to 4.
