Alice Halpern’s world is turned upside down with the disappearance of her best friend, Lauren Barnet. Alice, who is pregnant with twins, and Lauren, who is also pregnant, share the bond of being pregnant together. Alice and Lauren, as well as another friend, Maggie Blue, have been best friends forever and are closer than sisters. Even in adulthood, families of their own, they are closer than ever. They all live in the same neighbourhood in Brooklyn that women can feel safe walking in and children can play for endless hours. They feel safe. So how is it that on a day when Alice and Lauren are to meet, Lauren goes missing? Her disappearance sets into motion events that Alice has never encountered before and tears their small community -- and the three friends -- apart.

When Lauren is found, Alice finds herself continuously haunted, fearing for herself, and the lives of her unborn twins…

Seven Minutes to Noon is one thriller that I won’t soon forget!! Having never read Kate Pepper before, I was eager to try this new author. The blurb sounded fantastic and I couldn’t wait to get started. I never imagined what I would find within however. Fear, questioning things that I never dwelled upon before and images so horrific, I was at times scared to turn the pages. The thought of an unborn child being stolen from its mother made me cry and my heart, break.

Okay, having said all that above, I was still eagerly turning pages to see how the story would play out. It was addicting as each new clue was dropped or new twist arose, to keep on reading and at a fast pace. I went from doubting Alice’s fear and concerns as paranoia, to believing that she was right on target. The end result, the final confrontation, was unexpected and satisfied.  Ms. Pepper’s words really soak a reader into the story and we’re helpless to stop.  This suspenseful thriller is one that readers won’t forget anytime soon. I know I am off to find any backlist titles by this author…and will be watching for future ones!

Reviewed by Tracey West for The Road to Romance

November 19, 2005