There is a lot going on in this book and it is all so interesting that you will have a hard time putting this story down. Cilla is a great character. She and her grandmother’s lives mirrored each other to a great extent. Both were used by their less talented mothers so that they could be stars vicariously. Cilla has a stronger character than Janet and relies on herself rather than drugs, alcohol, lovers, and stardom to survive. She also has a stronger moral center, unlike Janet whose affair with a married man leads to her death. I loved Ford; his quirky personality and nerdy sexiness is unusual and endearing. His character has great depth much like his comic book hero The Seeker. I loved how he turned his new neighbor into a cartoon heroine. Cilla’s ex Steve is another fun character and a great friend to her despite his unusual appearance. Cilla’s family plays a large part in the story, not just her mother’s side, and she is one manipulative and self-centered witch, but also her father who divorced her mother while she was young and virtually abandoned her. He lives with his wife and daughter in the area and Cilla really does not feel part of that, but things start to change. The best part of the story though, is the suspenseful mystery. I never guessed who the culprit was, though there were clues were all there. That is a sign of a really good mystery, and I will be reading this one again soon.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: Maura Frankman
July 14, 2008