Review of Inheriting Fear by Sandy Vaile

Sandy Vaile’s debut romantic suspense is droll, sexy and will keep you guessing.

 
About the Book

Traumatised by her past, Mya guards her privacy as passionately as she shields her invalid mother. Not even her new neighbour, sexy Detective Luca Patterson, is tempting enough for her to let down her guard. Then someone from her past emerges to stalk and harass her, the neighbourhood goes to hell, and Mya must put her trust in a man who isn’t sure whether she’s a victim or his best suspect in a series of robberies.

My Thoughts

Inheriting Fear is a thoroughly enjoyable read that is hard to put down and will leave you wanting more of this new author. The mystery at the heart of the novel is deceptively simple. Suspense emerges more from the clever revelation of information rather than plot twists and as the layers of the story are revealed, its complexity is clear. Vaile does a brilliant job of tying the threads together in a believable way. The attention to detail in police procedure, kickboxing and medical conventions show extensive research underpins this story, but it never overwhelms the story. Likewise, a light touch is evident in the way Luca and Mya’s all-important backstories are revealed.

As a former chef, Vaile gives Mya’s kitchen skills a very believable polish, and she’s imbued her heroine with her own passion for motorbikes. I loved the South Australian locations, which are suitably gritty, and Mya’s one-liners—some resonant and others laugh-out-loud—make her narrative voice unique. Mya and Luca are suitably attractive leads with tortured pasts that keep them apart and make them perfect partners. Those looking for romance won’t be disappointed.

Inheriting Fear is pacey romantic suspense with dimension and wit and I look forward to reading more Sandy Vaile novels.

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Acknowledgements

A special thank you to Sandy Vaile and Crimson Romance for an ARC