Paperback Reader

Two years ago, Jim Abbott, a rising art star and all-around tortured soul, jumped off a bridge into the Missouri River. His body was never found, but everyone agreed he was dead. Jim's suicide leaves behind his wife Vanessa and son Johnny as well as a large portfolio of Jim's never shown artwork. Vanessa refers to the years between Jim's death and the actual start of the book even though the "who" Vanessa is and how she got there is never really explored. What is clear is that Vanessa agreed to a gallery showing of Jim's work. Then, as with all good romantic suspense, everyone starts dying.

Now, the night starts off well and without a body count. The art impresses the critics. Pieces are sold. Vanessa, a realtor, is introduced to a potential new client in need of a house. Said client, Christian Connor, also happens to be a hottie with whom Vanessa strikes an immediate spark. If that last part sounds a bit too fast and lacking in conflict, well, yeah. But, this is where the murders come in. Just as Vanessa's life gets back on track, people from Jim's past start dying.

All of the dead bodies bear a red slash just as Jim used to do to his artwork when he did not like it, which explains the book's title. The people not killed include Vanessa, Johnny, Jim's large family, all of whom love Vanessa but are saddled with their own difficult issues...which are a bit hard to keep straight here. But, the identities of the murdered people and the fact Jim's personal items keep showing up suggest good 'ole Jim might not be dead after all.

The suspense the unwinding of the tale of the murderers and what really happened to Jim, is well done here. The thrills build. Vanessa is terrorized is very real ways that are not always extravagant but that do carry a significant emotional punch. Being strong and self-reliant, Vanessa bounces back. She's a take-the-mental-hits-and-get-back-up heroine. While there is not much explanation of the person Vanessa is underneath and what drives her, other than the strength that comes from being a single parent dealing with a husband's suicide, she is the type of heroine you cheer for.

But there are problems here in terms of character growth and understanding. The most obvious issue is Christian. He is more of the too-good-to-be-true hero than an alpha hero which helps to emphasize the suspense over the romance in Paint It Red. Christian, while likeable and impressive in his dealings with Johnny, never rises to the level of interest you want from a romance hero.

It’s unclear if the issue here is with a lack of romantic conflict or a lack of depth in the hero...or both, but something is missing and whatever that is throws of the balance between Vanessa and Christian to some degree. Now, this may be forgivable in that the suspense portion of the book is more of a focus here than the romance. With that being the case, one could argue the romance does not need to be as fully developed. However, an already strong suspense and compelling heroine would only have benefited by an equal hero.

The smart and intricate plot, one without the theatrics an author of lesser talent might devise in an is-the-husband-dead-or-not scenario, drives this book. Cassidy knows how to let a mystery unfold and how to draft a heroine with the right amount of spunk. Despite a weak romantic hero and an overabundance of secondary characters with little to do but confuse the reader, Paint It Red is a genuinely worthy addition to the family suspense drama subgenre. Don’t expect a huge romance. Do expect a book that delivers on the promises made by its back cover copy.

You can visit Carla Cassidy here and buy this book here or here.