The Other Woman, by Hank Phillippi Ryan.
No need for them to hurry, Jake thought. His watch showed 2:15 am. She'd been dead for at least three hours. Just like the other woman. - from The Other Woman, page 10 -
Jane Ryland was a rising star in television reporting until she refused to reveal a source and found herself on the wrong side of a million dollar lawsuit. Forced to leave her high profile job, Jane turns to investigative newspaper reporting where she is assigned to a fluff piece about a Senate candidate's wife. But what starts as fluff soon morphs into a potential scandal when Jane uncovers a possible extramarital affair between the candidate and a stunning woman who shows up at political rallies in a bright red coat and inserts herself into the campaign.
Meanwhile, woman are dying, murdered by what appears to be a serial killer stalking the streets of Boston and Jake Brogan is the detective working to solve the cases. Jake and Jane's lives are intimately entangled ... and now it seems that their professional lives are also linked. Could Jane's "other woman" be somehow connected to the murdered women? And is Jane herself in danger?
Hank Phillippi Ryan's newest novel is the first in a planned series of thrillers, and it was intriguing enough to keep me turning the pages to unravel the twisty plot. Ryan has created a strong, interesting female character in Jane Ryland. Jane's ambition is only surpassed by her tendency to get dragged into complicated and potentially career-ending situations. Ryan creates a bit of sexual tension between Jane and detective Brogan who may have some competition with Jane's boss, "hot" Alex.
Narrated in multiple points of view, the novel keeps the reader guessing until the end. Tightly plotted and filled with political and romantic intrigue, this is a book which will appeal to readers who like the suspense-thriller genre. It is a quick read and was good enough to make me look forward to the next installment of Jane Ryland's adventures.
★★★ 1/2 - Three and a half stars out of five.
Catch all of Wendy Robard's reviews in her fabulous blog, "Caribousmom".
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