From Publishers Weekly
Goudge's third Carson Springs novel (Stranger in Paradise; Taste of Honey) revives familiar themes of family secrets and complicated love lives among California's rich and semifamous. Anna Vincenzi works by day for her domineering sister, wheelchair-bound movie star Monica Vincent, and by night caring for their Alzheimer's-afflicted mother. The beleaguered, stifled Anna gets her wish for freedom when Monica is found dead in her swimming pool. Unfortunately, police arrest her for her sister's murder-not exactly the kind of attention she's been craving. Accustomed to helping others, she hesitates to contact her younger sister, Liz, who has distanced herself from the family, or Dr. Marc Raboy, Monica's therapist, whom she has secretly pined for. Instead, Anna reaches out to friend and neighbor Laura, whose extended family, nicely recovered from the scandals described in Strangers in Paradise, provides emotional support as well as bail and a good lawyer. Anna and Marc investigate Monica's death, uncovering secrets about her parents along the way. The novel's charm lies in its unabashed quotation of the Cinderella story. Modern touches (the heroine doesn't sweep the fireplace, she answers her sister's e-mail; Prince Charming is a married therapist; the mean sister is a Hollywood star) combine with the familiar plot line of the ur-romance. It's not groundbreaking, but readers who enjoyed the first two in this series will not be disappointed.Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
The last book in the Carson Springs trilogy begins with Anna Vincenzi's arrest for the murder of her sister, Monica, whose career as a movie star ended abruptly when an accident left her in a wheelchair. Monica's condition did nothing to sweeten an already sour personality, and before her untimely death, she heaped most of her displeasure on fat, plain Anna, whose plan to embark on a new life for herself seems derailed when she is arrested. Goudge's strong suit here is not the mystery of who killed Monica, although the plot twists its way along interestingly enough. Rather, it is her sure handling of the tried-and-true Cinderella motif--set attractively against a lush Southern California backdrop--that gives this blend of romance and mystery its charm. Readers new to the series may be a bit confused by the many characters who wander in and out, but those who prefer gentle mysteries will find much to enjoy on Anna's road to redemption and true love. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Book Description
After years in the shadow of her movie-star sister, Monica, Anna Vincenzi finally sheds that extra weight. Now she's a knockout-and her emerging beauty has escaped no one, least of all her sister.
But when Monica is found floating face down in her pool, the once-mousy Anna suddenly finds herself thrust into the spotlight-fighting to clear her name of murder. The entire Carson Springs community rallies around her, but, to her surprise, it's the handsome, insightful Dr. Marc Raboy who becomes her most ardent supporter...
Wish Come True FROM THE PUBLISHER
After years in the shadow of her movie-star sister, Monica, Anna Vincenzi finally sheds that extra weight. Now she's a knockout-and her emerging beauty has escaped no one, least of all her sister.
But when Monica is found floating face down in her pool, the once-mousy Anna suddenly finds herself thrust into the spotlight-fighting to clear her name of murder. The entire Carson Springs community rallies around her, but, to her surprise, it's the handsome, insightful Dr. Marc Raboy who becomes her most ardent supporter...
Author Biography:
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Goudge's third Carson Springs novel (Stranger in Paradise; Taste of Honey) revives familiar themes of family secrets and complicated love lives among California's rich and semifamous. Anna Vincenzi works by day for her domineering sister, wheelchair-bound movie star Monica Vincent, and by night caring for their Alzheimer's-afflicted mother. The beleaguered, stifled Anna gets her wish for freedom when Monica is found dead in her swimming pool. Unfortunately, police arrest her for her sister's murder-not exactly the kind of attention she's been craving. Accustomed to helping others, she hesitates to contact her younger sister, Liz, who has distanced herself from the family, or Dr. Marc Raboy, Monica's therapist, whom she has secretly pined for. Instead, Anna reaches out to friend and neighbor Laura, whose extended family, nicely recovered from the scandals described in Strangers in Paradise, provides emotional support as well as bail and a good lawyer. Anna and Marc investigate Monica's death, uncovering secrets about her parents along the way. The novel's charm lies in its unabashed quotation of the Cinderella story. Modern touches (the heroine doesn't sweep the fireplace, she answers her sister's e-mail; Prince Charming is a married therapist; the mean sister is a Hollywood star) combine with the familiar plot line of the ur-romance. It's not groundbreaking, but readers who enjoyed the first two in this series will not be disappointed. Agent, Susan Ginsburg. (June) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Library Journal
After a determined makeover, Anna is definitely catching up with movie star sister Monica. But then she becomes a prime suspect in Monica's murder. Can her Carson Springs neighbors help her out? Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Another Carson Springs murder, given more than due diligence by Goudge (Taste of Honey, 2002, etc.). Why would shy, formerly overweight, mousy Anna Vicenzi want to kill her glamorous sister? (1) Monica wasnﾽt very nice; (2) Monica was a world-famous movie star; (3) Monica drank like a fish and hated everybody, especially after the speedboat accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down. Nonetheless, her fans still adored her, even if they never knew Anna was the one who dutifully answered their e-mail, posing as Monica with heartfelt but down-to-earth advice. No one saw mean old Monica drown in the pool of her million-dollar mansion after someone pushed her in, wheelchair and all. But a lot of people in Carson Springs think Anna did it--hey, wait . . . itﾽs flashback time! Monica was sexually assaulted as a girl by their drunken father Joe, mutters Betty, their deranged mother. Anna and her sister Liz do remember vicious beatings and terrified cries in the night, but they didnﾽt know that. Gee, maybe thatﾽs why Monica was always so bitchy. She drank to hide the pain, huh? (Dated-sounding group therapy sessions are rehashed to make this point several times.) Ah, sweet mystery of life: at last Anna finds love as sexy therapist Marc Raboy encourages her to admit her codependent rage and seek closure. How did she really feel about her sister? Angry, and ashamed of her anger. But Anna counts her blessings and realizes that sheﾽs much luckier than Monica! She finds out that other people have terrible problems too. For example, Marcﾽs wife is a schizophrenic, in an institution. Talk about your insurmountable obstacles to true love! But Marc always does the right thing, even helping Annaand her chums look for the real killer. Could it be a freaky fan? But which one? Will the culprit will show up at Monicaﾽs funeral? Endless.
Art & Photography
Book Info
