Saturday, April 5, 2008

"M.I.A."

New from Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Minotaur: M.I.A. by Michael Allen Dymmoch.

About the book, from the author's website:

The accidental death of Mickey Fahey leaves his wife Rhiann paralyzed by grief, his stepson Jimmy cutting school and drinking. The widow's problems are compounded by the unwanted advances of her dead husband's friend.

Rhiann does her best to cope, going back to work, dealing patiently with her son's misbehavior, telling Rory Sinter she's not interested.

A mysterious stranger moves in next door. John Devlin offers Rhiann beer and sympathy, and gives Jimmy a job.

When Sinter tries to discredit John, then beat him to death, Rhiann comes to John's rescue. But she discovers her perfect neighbor isn't what he'd seemed.

Which leads Rhiann to investigate. And to see John in a different light altogether.

This is a story of violent men and violent passions, of missing friends, of loss and discovery. A love story.