The Alibi

A lot of twists...great book

I read Sandra Brown's "Rainwater". It was fantastic. The reviews said that it was so unlike her usual novels. I bought "Alibi" to try out another Sandra Brown book. It is a well-written so-called "suspense thriller". I know this type of book is very popular and it was difficult to put down but in the end it was like so many similar books - maybe a little better written. "Rainwater" should have been promoted better. It should be a best seller and someone should be making a movie based on the book.

A one night stand is definitely out of character for upstanding and straight-laced county solicitor Hammond Cross. He's on the fast track to be the next District Attorney in Charleston. But one hot and sultry night at a carnival, he hooks up with a beautiful stranger. Imagine his surprise when Lute Pettijohn, the notorious corrupt tycoon he's investigating is found murdered, and the chief suspect is the woman he just spent his most passionate night with. To provide Alex Ladd with an alibi would be career suicide. And staying away from Alex is unthinkable. Hammond also has to contend with his conniving colleague Steffi Mundell, who also has dreams of the DA position; police detective Rory Smilow, with whom he has a checkered past; and his overbearing father, who also has a reason to want Lute dead. Brown is at the top of her game - tossing out tons of red herrings, giving the reader plenty of potential suspects and great secondary characters like Lute's widow Davee. She keeps Alex very ethereal - you keep wondering if her motivations with regard to Hammond are pure. You'll convince yourself of who the real culprit is, only to turn the page and get a huge surprise.

The truth is out there! Sandra Brown is not just a writer, she's a ROUNDER. She not only plays the cards, like the pros she plays the people -the reader - page after suspenseful page. The Alibi proves her prowess, and whets her growing fan base for another steamy fast paced read. South Carolina's ambiance is a perfect backdrop for the seedy intrigues of the legal profession. Enter the hero, dignity intact. Enter the heroine whose background is as colorful as Jacob's coat. One night. Sex. Sweaty sheets. Hero's dignity down the toilet. Fingers point to his clandestine lover. Murder! Who pulled the trigger? He can't get her out of his mind. Now she is the prime suspect in Charleston's most nefarious homicide. Everyone wanted Lute Pettyjohn dead. Alex Ladd is in the hot seat, so is the prosecutor, Hammond Cross. Prosecute her? Not what he has in mind. Fully rounded, sympathetic characters leave you wondering. Hold on to your hat. Wild ride included in the cover price. Thank you, Ms. Brown.

I couldn't wait to find time to read the book- before work, after work, during commercials during Ali McBeal....great suspense triller with a touch of romance! Cosmopolitan magazine book club pick- enough said!