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CNA Sally Cox is a divorced woman in her fifties. Her husband of many years, Sam divorced her after leaving her for a woman fifteen years younger. Sally was given "everything" but no money to maintain the house, or pay the bills. She gets a job at Walnut Hills Nursing Center. Without Sam, and without enough money, bill collectors begin hounding her all the time. Sally doesn't believe God cares about her anymore, and allows her faith to drift.
One of her charges, Mrs. Elsie Rigsby tells her about buried money. She tells Sally she wants it to all go to the poor. Mrs. Rigsby's grandson Jonathan takes a sudden interest in his grandmother, visiting her frequently. When she won't tell him what he wants to know, he drugs her, hoping she'll let slip where she hid the money. Something she says leads him to his cousin's house and a tragedy occurs.
Harry Rigsby, Elise's son has lived a totally selfish life. He was married for several years to Gracie. When Jonathan was 15, Gracie left, taking their son. Harry discovered that his life wasn't much different afterward, except no one was around to complain that he wasn't home. He has recently retired and has only Social Security to live on. He feels he deserves better, but never saved any money. He's hoping to get his mom to tell him where the money is hidden so he can have an easy life. It isn't until his mother dies after another tragedy, that he comes to understand the futility of his life.
Sally learns that another CNA, Karen Morgan also knows about the money, and they decide together to go get it. Afterward, they drive to Sally's home and divide it equally. Now a killer knows about the money and he's after them.
Sam Cox realizes after his trophy girlfriend leaves that he was a fool to have divorced Sally. He wants her back, and intends to do whatever it takes to make that happen. But Sally can't trust him, and refuses to allow him back into her life or her heart.
Once Sally has the money, she begins to lose sleep, she has nightmares and she knows a killer is after her. She also knows what she did is illegal. The money was ill gotten, and should have gone to either the IRS or Medicaid to reimburse the costs of Mrs. Rigsby's nursing home stay. Her conscience won't let her alone. But if she turns in the money, she’ll go to jail.
Kathy Herman has written a true to life novel with characters that reap what they sow. Her focus is on how failing to trust God leads to desperation and foolish choices. Sam has destroyed his family for a younger woman, Sally thinks buried treasure will relieve her of all her financial problems, but both end up with very different results. The relationship between the various characters is realistic. I liked that even the most unlikable character could be changed by an encounter with God. The mystery and suspense are tautly drawn and I found myself reading quickly to find out what happened. There are discussion questions at the end that are suitable for individual reflection or group study. I highly recommend this book to others.
Reviewed by Nancy Riggins-Hume
for The Road to Romance
August 4, 2004
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