Author: Carter Wilson

Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press

ISBN: 978-1-7282-2508-1

Memories are precious and we often hold them close to our heart except when they remind us of the past. Author Carter Wilson takes us deep inside the world and secrets of a family whose past will shock you and if revealed will shake the foundation of their existence. Rose Yates has buried an incident that happened 20 years ago and that is about to become front row in the minds of a town she had never wanted to return to but had no choice.

The author flashes back and forth to that night when Cora and Caleb were together at a party but what really happened between them and why does Rose feel guilty? Cora is manipulating her, convincing her she is at fault and their father reminds us of how this was handled, and Cora states this family must stick together. Rose never should have come back home because now she is under the power of her dominant and controlling father who will demean, embarrass and insult her in any way to let her know she is damaged goods. Added in he holds the power to take it all away home, money and more. Why stay? Even her son Max seems vulnerable and spending time with his cousin Willow is not a positive thing. She is evil in her own way and has a poster of Lizzie Borden hanging on her wall in her room whereas Cora has other ways of threatening Rose.

Detective Colin Pearson is fighting his own demons with a mother who enjoys drinking and having him come over nightly to pour the last one. But this is nothing compared to her living conditions and when Meg, his soon to be mother wife, goes over to help her out, how does she wind up dead at the bottom of the staircase. Things spiral out of control when Cora and Rose meet eye to eye, rehash what happened or think happened in their individual own eyes hoping that no one will ever reveal the truth.

Weeks later Colin calls Rose and states that he thinks he knows what happened to Caleb is he on the right track? Added in Rose seems to like a man named Alec who was married to Tashia a mean and judgmental girl from high school who shows up in her life after all those years. Plus, who killed her dog in a gruesome way and since Rose has returned why are so many odd things happening?
Some families unite as one and others vie for attention and hope to come out on top. Cora is capable of just about anything, Rose you begin to think might not be so innocent and her dreams that awaken her let you know that the past is paramount in her mind. A family torn apart and two sisters that are different and yet the same. Max her son hates living in Bury and cannot seem to adjust. Rose is fighting her own demons and when her father demands her attention along with Cora for a family meeting the result is shocking, two sisters pitted against each other and lies, betrayals, harsh realities and truths explode and then something happens that will surprise, shock and not endear you to anyone in this family.

Detective Pearson is sullen, sad and just wants his wife back but reliving the scene, his mother not calling for help and waiting two hours before calling him about his wife’s accident, if it was an accident, he still has the feeling that Rose might be guilty, lives around her are at stake and things are not what they seem.

Author Carter Wilson takes us deep inside the minds of both Rose, Cora and Logan their father as we begin to understand whether what happened to Caleb, PJ someone close to them, a dog and others is a brand of revenge or justice.

Families are supposed to be united and yet what happens at the end will keep you wondering where the truths lie, what Rose decides to do with her life and with Max and a harsh reality that the reader will face along with Rose as someone bears it all, someone says the two words that change it all and a decision must be made. Will she remain under her father’s thumb? Will she decide to leave and finally escape but how? What about Max? What about Detective Pearson will he figure out what really happened to Caleb Benner? As Rose leaves Max alone in her car to speak with Colin something happens to Max and you see an expression and you learn something that will not only stop you in your tracks if you see his face but wonder what it is he is about to say. Lives will never be the same. Truths might be hidden forever and what really happened to Riley may never be uncovered. How did he really die? What are the hidden truths and lies that might never be uncovered? What really was the fate of THE DEAD HUSBAND? Characters that are strong, a father who is emotionless and two sisters who suffered at his hand but in different ways as author Carter Wilson pens a strong psychological murder mystery that will leave you shaking and stunned long after you turn to the last page and read the last two words.