Publisher: Zondervan; First Paperback Edition edition (April 1, 2002)
Language: English
Cape Refuge, is an Island located near Georgia, where sisters Morgan and Blair have grown up watching their parents take in people with no place else to go. However, Hanover House is threatened with being shut down by the city when their parents are both found murdered. To make matters worse, Morgan's own husband, Jonathan, is the prime suspect, the murder weapon having belonged to him. Both sisters can't seem to leave it to the police, even if the head cop is a long time friend, Cane. Blair investigates in the library she runs, but instead of finding the murderer, she discovers some unsettling things about her dead parents, and the scar that mars half of her face. And Morgan is forced to decide if she will run Hanover house when a young runaway shows up. One by one, the obvious suspects-those staying at the Hanover house-seem less likely. Eventually, it all hits the fan when an intriguing cover up is discovered, and the real reason why Morgans' and Blairs' parents were killed is revealed.
Morgan follows her parents faith in God. She was apparently the happier, more popular of the two sisters in her youth. But Morgan shows no condescension in her beliefs, and attempts many times to show her sister love. Compared to Blair though, her personality feels weak.
Blair is defined by the burn scar on her face she has had since she was a child. Because of it, she hates her appearance, and stays closed off from everyone, except her sister. Because of the pain she experienced, she stays happily in the land of facts and figures, not bold enough to trust something she can't see.
Cane is the head cop at Cape Refuge, and although he went to school for years to earn it, it is suggested that the townspeople think he got the job because of his relation to the mayor. Cane grew up in school with Blair, although her defensive personality kept them from getting close.
Jonathan is devoted to his wife and overprotective, although his personality isn't developed much. However, he has a fiery temper which leads him to an argument with Morgan's parents before their death. His relationship with Cane is explained, but not shown very well.
Sadie, a young runaway, is a a sweet, likable young girl, who has a strong conscious and is determined to make a life for herself and save her baby brother.
The only weak points I could point out are the lack of development with Morgan and Jonathan as well as their lack of personalities. The relationship between the two of them is really the only thing that defines them. Morgan's motivation throughout most of the book is to free her husband from jail. As this is only the first in the series, there leaves plenty of time for development. I would really have liked to see more of the history of how Jonathan and Morgan met, as well as Morgan's past. More is revealed about Blair, because an incident in her past pertains to the present.
A mystery/romance novel well worth your time, I rate it three stars.
You can buy Cape Refuge at both Amazon.com and Christianbook.com.
If you want to read about all of the books that Terri Blackstock has written, check out her homepage.
Next up, I'll review "The Face of God" by Bill Meyers.
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