It’s one of those early morning phone calls no one ever wants to receive.  News of a friend and former lover having been murdered sets Abigail Dunnigan into a tailspin.  With this news, Abby returns to her hometown, accompanied by her housemate and business partner Jeff Hunt, pleasing her parents, who are ecstatic over what they incorrectly believe to be a new straight romantic relationship.

The proverbial plot thickens as old and new friends, some former lovers, meet for the funeral of Clara Stokes, the murdered woman.  Clara was a diary keeper, as all her lovers have known.  The diaries prove to be the link that the murderer now uses to go after the other women that Clara has had relationships with—and the murderer leaves clues that lead everyone to believe he is Clara’s abusive husband, recently released from prison.

The FBI becomes involved, as Clara’s former lovers must be protected from what becomes increasingly apparent is a person gone mad.  We wonder at several points in the story if FBI personnel are there to help or hinder the investigation, as does Abby herself.  During the course of this tale, an unexpected plot twist sends Abby, and the FBI, into an about-face in an effort to save all of the lives of those at risk.

In the midst of the grief and intrigue, Abby finds that her memories of experiences left behind in Desert Storm re-immerge and cause her to wonder about her own sanity.  When she embarks on a professional relationship with therapist Jayne Kinderlen, a sweet friendship evolves that becomes Abby’s touchstone, and Jayne goes above and beyond the call of duty to come to Abby’s aid.

Abby’s twin brother, Alvin, proves an enigma.  There relationship is true to form with that inexpressible bond ever-present for twins, in spite of any differences they may have.  Throughout the story, we are given snippets of that relationship and we wonder what part Alvin plays in the grand scheme of things.

Alex Alexander has woven an intriguing story, filled with the kind of scenes that sometimes cause goose flesh to rise, true to its mystery-thriller content.  To counterpoint this, Alexander portrays the relationship between Abby and Dr. Kinderlen as poignant and endearing, a chivalrous romantic interlude that leaves us rooting for both women to be true to themselves.  In the end, the killer’s identity is revealed in an ending that makes us wonder who the real offender in this story is.