Review: In the Shadow of Revenge

I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

In the Shadow of Revenge
by Patricia Hale
Published by Carina Press
Publication Date July 15, 2013
Source: Author
Genres: General Fiction
Goodreads

Everybody thought brilliant Cecily would leave dead-end Miller's Falls for something better. But a two-decades-old tragedy locks her in place. Few understand the fierce bond that Cecily and Amelia share with Hilary, who was assaulted one summer as the two other girls watched helplessly. It's a bond of love and guilt…and a desire for vengeance that cuts clear to the bone.

So Assistant DA Cecily Minos waits, eager to see the guy in her courtroom. When Amelia meets a man who has the tattoo the girls remember seeing that day, they think they've finally caught a break. But the police refuse to reopen the case, and it's up to Cecily and Amelia to pursue their suspect.

Their investigation soon uncovers secrets best left buried. But the law is slow, and they've waited long enough for revenge…

In the Shadow of Revenge was a good book.  It could have been a great book if it wasn’t for the Ouija Board.  When they were children, Cecily, Amelia and Hilary were “blood sisters” and used a Ouija board to tell them everything about their future.  Everything changed the day Hilary was raped.  Cecily still has and uses the board and has continued the blood sisters ritual.  The concept of taking the device seriously (as an adult) came off as juvenile and felt it added little to the story.  All the events pertaining could have occurred without it, I just found Cecily’s premonitions unnecessary and annoyed me.  This  could be because of my disinterest in the supernatural.  It may not have contained Zombies or Werewolves, but the futuristic from said Ouija board was too much for me.

Otherwise, I found Patricia Hale’s book to be a fun thriller.  I did “figure it out” about halfway through, but I didn’t mind as it was Cecily’s journey that I cared about.  She and her friends Amelia and Hilary were three-dimensional, with personalities to be peeled away like an onion.  The author created three unique characters and found it interesting (despite it being fictional) how one event could so drastically change people in different ways.

Overall, In the Shadow of Revenge was a fun, enjoyable book which had me reading my way through dinner.