Part of Helen West, book 1
First published 2004
Eileen Cartwright wants what she cannot have. Her lawyer has captured her thoughts completely, but his wife stands in the way. Eileen decides murder will solve her problem. She recruits a hospital janitor to carry out the killing, believing money can buy her the perfect crime. The janitor proves incompetent and guilt ridden. Police arrest him quickly after the botched job. Now Eileen faces a different challenge. Her considerable fortune and careful preparation have covered her tracks well. The authorities suspect her involvement but cannot easily establish the connection. Eileen must rely on her meticulous planning to escape justice. The investigation threatens to expose the obsession that drove her to orchestrate murder. Her wealth becomes both shield and weapon as she fights to avoid consequences for her deadly scheme.
Genres: suspense, mystery, crime, thriller
Vibes: dark, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: cat-and-mouse, unreliable-narrator
Paperback · Thorndike Press
Content warnings: murder, violence