Writers and Readers Network -AR

Amanda’s Rib

By Cyndia Depre

“If Amanda Winslow had been an only child she’d be dead.”

Cyndia Depre’s “Amanda’s Rib” grabs with the first sentence and doesn’t release its grip until the end.

Only the knowledge of what her death would do to her sister kept Amanda from suicide during the Book Cover sensationalized trial for the murder of her husband, Michael. Now in a secluded cottage, on the outskirts of a small rural town, Amanda wants only to escape and forget a haunting and traumatic past. But when the charismatic Jack Lindsay learns she was tried for her husband’s murder, he demands she tell his friend and law partner, Wade Harris, and threatens the quiet life and new friendships she has just managed to build.

Should Amanda run again, or risk everything, including her own shattered heart, and trust Jack when he takes an interest in solving the mystery of Michael’s death?

Amanda Winslow is intriguing but not his type, so Jack is surprised by his reaction to his partner, Wade’s, friendship with the striking redhead. When he learns she stood trial for the murder of her husband, at first convinced he is only protecting his friend, Jack is determined to force Amanda to reveal the truth. Then he convinces himself he is only interested in solving the mystery of Michael Winslow’s death. Will he recognize his feelings for Amanda in time to save her from the past that haunts and hunts her?

I received “Amanda’s Rib” to review, sat down intending to read a chapter or two, and was instantly captured in Ms. Depre’s maze of intrigue, clues, and revelations. I didn’t stop reading until the last page.

Cyndia Depre casts a powerful spell of mystery, clouds it with emotion, haunting secrets, and misunderstandings, and weaves it into a heartrending, imaginary journey through a real-to-life drama. Mixed amid the darkness is a cast of charming characters. The quick witty dialogue that peppers the relationship between Amanda and Wade, and so disturbs Jack, adds just the right amount of humor to lighten the darker revelations and suspense Ms. Depre crafts onto the pages of “Amanda’s Rib” with a master’s hand. This one goes on the do-not-miss-it list.