Harriet Klausner's Review Archive
Taking Cole’s ashes to his hometown while also planning to sell her share of the ranch, Ruby meets her in-laws. Cole’s Aunt Birch is especially welcoming to her, the total opposite of her mother-in-law June, who treats her with disdain and fears she will bankrupt their spread with her quarter share. However, the biggest surprise is Lucas, Cole's younger brother, a former San Francisco lawyer who came home to become an impoverish saddlemaker. He has the same obsession as her, a need to know what drove Cole to deny his family’s existence. They team up to learn the truth, but family members are silent leading them to Cole’s friends as their only hope.
Displaying her talent without Benni Harper to help, Agatha Award winner Earlene Fowler provides a deep family drama starring two likable protagonists needing to know the secret that led to Cole’s actions. The story line is character driven especially indirectly by the late Cole. Fans of powerful psychological thrillers that require a one sitting read will want to know why at least as much as THE SADDLEMAKER’S WIFE needs to know too