Diane Duprey is a well-known (and well-worn) A.D.--Abortion Doctor. A center of controversy in a no-less controversial town, she's long been targeted by right wingers, pro-lifers, and aggressive evangelicals. So it's no surprise when her dead body's found floating in her indoor pool one night, still bleeding after a fatal blow to the head. While CSI types mull over evidence, it's her husband Frank who, having found the body, must bear the shock along with 19 year-old Megan--their only child. With the investigation going nowhere, it's obvious there's some alterior angles at the root of what appears a cold case; the only real lead pointing to Frank who refuses to reveal his whereabouts on the night in question. For readers who like 'ending-first' mysteries, this recent standalone brings the goods with some edgy side-drama to boot. The child of liberals, Megan is no innocent and there must be something deeply disturbing Frank who persists in keeping quiet even though he's an attorney with the D.A.'s office! Secondary people also start to figure into things. Head of the pro-life coalition Rev. O'Connell has his self-evident reasons, but murder? Then there's Megan's ex--Branson, who's clean on the surface but, as we soon find out, can be kind of touchy about rejection.
This story's religious hypocrisy element was woefully unnecessary and it appears Hyde intended sympathy solely for Diane: Frank is a stick in the mud, Megan's integrity is called into question, and Branson is anybody's fool. Other than that, readers should be pleasantly surprised (maybe a little disappointed) with the outcome of this whodunit.
