A dedicated charity worker,
socialite Claire Hayden is worried, unhappy and helpless because she knows in her heart
that there is no love left in her marriage and is afraid that to admit it. Her life soon
shatters when, at the conclusion of her husband David’s fortieth birthday, he’s
found brutally murdered. Claire is frantic to find out why it happened when David had no
enemy. An enigmatic man, Ian Marshall, whom Claire had met for the first time at the
birthday party, seems to be somehow deeply involved in all this, and he’s not
telling. With a determination not usually associated with her, Claire forces her way into
Ian’s life and work, and willy-nilly becomes his partner in solving this most bizarre
crime.
As their investigation deepens, Ian gradually
reveals bits and pieces of the case which, to Claire’s astonishment, began years ago
in England during World War II. Ian is not happy at Claire’s involvement, and this is
not only because of the attraction that erupts between them. Claire is also greatly
fascinated by this mysterious man, but she can never quite shake off the feeling that
he’s not telling her the entire truth. Their chase for a most elusive and
diabolically clever quarry takes them from San Francisco to New York, and from there to
Wales and back. But as their investigation deepens, clues begin emerging and suddenly
dangerous attempts are made on both their lives. Claire is in for another shock when she
comes to the shattering realization that the killer is someone very close to her! What
will she do?
Brenda Joyce has penned a fast-paced thrilling
suspense in ‘The Chase’. As the title, which is more than apt, suggests,
there is chase going on to capture a killer who has no conscience or loyalty and who is
deadly to anybody who crosses his path and has been for quite some time. The main
protagonists are complete opposites so there is a lot of tension between them, and at the
same time, this also creates a mutual attraction between them which adds a lot of heat to
them. Ms. Joyce has added a twist here and takes the readers back to a journey in time,
where it all first began, and this is the time of World War II. Here yet another pair of
lovers meet, fall in love despite religious barriers and become victims of the same
diabolical killer whom Claire and Ian are tracking now. The details and atmosphere of a
war-ravaged England, the bravery of the common man, the raids and the suffering are
wonderfully portrayed. The contrast and the similarities between these two modern lovers
and those in the past, has been done so very subtly that it is compelling and uncanny at
times. The suspense in the tale is almost unbearable at points and the ending is a
shocking conclusion which will surprise even the most dedicated mystery reader. The book
does have some weak points in its plot, which is natural given the vast scope of its plot.
But overall, ‘The Chase’ is a breathtaking work of writing which is
absolutely entertaining.
Reviewed By Rashmi Srinivas for The Road to
Romance
July 10, 2003 |
