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Rachel and Lawrence have a blessed life. Deeply in love, the two have a daughter they dote on and a lucrative business that allows them many luxuries. All that is changed when Lawrence is returning from a business trip and their personal plane crashes in the attempt to land during a storm. Comforted by Lawrence’s best friend and financial advisor, Matthew, Rachel takes solace in his arms, and the two eventually wed.
However, Leisa, Rachel’s best friend, does not think as highly of Matthew. She inadvertently discovers an alarming text, and her confrontation with Matthew only increases her suspicions. When Rachel decides to sell her beloved childhood home, Leisa is wary of the deal. It isn’t long before there is a problem with the home sale in an amount nearing a million dollars. Rachel’s name is on the incriminating document. Leisa, Rachel’s daughter, and the company lawyer vow to get to the bottom of the matter.
Sproule’s novel combines aspects of a cozy mystery and Christian fiction, and readers familiar with these genres will know what to expect in this clean and concise book. Although the plot has several intriguing elements, the overall effectiveness of the work would have been enhanced by some additional editing. Greed and lust drive the antagonists into increasingly poor decisions, but the narrative effectively makes Rachel look like the perfect scapegoat as the plot advances. Still, in a nod to the biblical adage that pride goes before a fall, the antagonists’ pride in their own plans will be their unmasking. As the situation worsens, Rachel comes to lean more on her faith, and her belief that God is in control even in the worst of times will resonate with readers who enjoy religious fiction.