When Night Falls

Courtesy of A Romance ReviewWhen Night Falls is packed with secrets, suspense, mysteries, romance and friendships. The story starts with the death and unresolved murder of Lauren Howard and a mystery fire that leads to the death of Fred Warren (father of the Warren brothers), and then turns deeper into the family and romantic relationships of the Warren brothers. It also discloses some old family secrets and memories that both brothers have ignored and refuses to face for years. This is the first book that I read of Cait London's and I find it captivating and satisfying on both the romance and suspense.

I very much enjoyed Cait's move to romantic suspense. The story of the 4 friends flowed smoothly while maintaining the tenseness of the of the mystery and the grief of Lauren's death. There is a unifying theme of 'oneness' that weaves through the story. The promised surprise ending is just that, I never saw it coming.

Madrid was a small town in Oklahoma. Uma Thornton was known as "The Keeper" of the town's secrets. It was a job that seemed to be passed down by the women of her family. Her life forever changed when her best friend, Lauren Howard, died. Uma, Lauren, Pearl, and Shelly had grown up together. As adults, they still took one night a week for a "girls' night out". Uma would never forget the face of the man who shot Lauren as he drove by * or the feel of Lauren's blood on her hands. Mitchell Warren's family had been known as the town's troublemakers. As Mitchell and Roman (the younger brother) were teens, someone burned down their home, killing their father. Believing their mother had abandoned them, they left the town far behind. Years later, Mitchell left his high paying job and returned to Madrid. Roman eventually followed. They planned to face their pasts, come what may. No one of Madrid was happy to see the Warrens return. As the secret keeper, Uma knew more about the Warren family's past than either of the brothers. She planned to help them begin to heal. However, a killer stalked the town. He called himself "Clyde". Lauren had only been the first. Before the last rose petal fell, the other three women would be dead! ***** There is much more going on than I could tell you in the synopsis. In fact, more than one romance blooms in the story. A secondary couple adds more spice and the third girlfriend has husband trouble. Good luck trying to figure out who is behind it all. I had several suspects in mind. I gave up trying to figure it out and just enjoyed the story. I loved it and do not hesitate to recommend it to all. *****

In Madrid, Oklahoma, the four women have met once a week for several years at Piggy's Ice Cream Parlor. Thirty-six year old Uma Thornton is divorced and has lost a child to crib death. Shelly Craig was an unwed teenage mother refusing to divulge the identity of the father even years later. Successful Realtor Lauren Howard is married to a philandering indolent husband. Pearl Whitefield lacks a few electrons but thrives as "Mrs. Perfect". Everything changes when a drive by shooting results in the murder of Lauren.One year later the homicide remains unsolved and the three surviving females cope with their loss differently especially with Mitchell Warren returning to Madrid to reside in Lauren's home after an absence of almost two decades. Townsfolk loathe Warrens, but Mitchell needs to find something to fill the void in his soul so he came back anyway. Uma and Mitchell are attracted to one another and fall in love. Mitchell resolves to keep the woman who has filled his soul with joy safe and to protect her two friends as well from a killer who has murdered again.Fans of romantic suspense will thoroughly enjoy Cait London's latest tale that focuses as much on the tension as on the two love stories. This makes for several subplots, which Ms. London effortlessly brings the various themes back into the prime plot though the climax wraps up everything to perfectly. The cast is strong and inviting while the identity of the killer is impossible to name. On top of that are two beautiful romances that lead to a pleasant time for the audience.Harriet Klausner