Suspicion of Malice

Donada Peters does so much more than read the words in Parker's books. She brings operatic talent and range in accents to bring the cast of characters to life, both male and female. The romantic magnetism between Anthony and Gail has left me eager for the next title, and distressed not to find an unabridged reading by Ms. Peters for the subsequent Parker titles. I am on hold in hope.

I have really enjoyed the Gail Connor/Anthony Quintana series; however, I was disappointed in the last one. But Parker has really redeemed herself. The characters sizzle along, the plot is unusual and interesting, and the resurrection of the love story which appeared doomed (stay tuned) was done quite well... I was happy that Gail seems to be acting more responsibly and ethically and thus more believable - she is flawed, but not stupid... One suggestion - the relationships of the various characters took awhile to iron out, and other than the "surprise" one - perhaps it would have been helpful to include a family "tree" in the opening pages - it would have helped to focus on the story as it got going.....

Once they were lovers planning to marry until Anthony Quintana turned his back on his obligation to the law, forcing Gail Connor to walk out on him. He went to Spain to forget his feeling of betrayal while she remained in Miami just as determined to overcome her feeling of deceit. She started to make a life for herself and her daughter from a previous relationship. Unbeknownst to Anthony when he left her, Gail was pregnant with his child.A chance encounter with Anthony's eighteen-year old daughter Angela results in Gail accepting the teen's boyfriend Bobby as a client. Bobby, who has been previously convicted of some petty criminal activity, is suspected of killing Roger Cresswell, owner of Cresswell Yachts, who fired the lad for allegedly stealing. One person who Bobby insists can provide him with an alibi and prove he is not guilty is Judge Nathan Harris, a person under consideration for an appointment to the US District Court. Heeding the advice of his attorney, Nathan sends his lawyer Anthony to deal with Gail. As the two former lovers closely work together to prove Bobby's innocence, their relationship flares to life once again.As suspense novels go, the Connor-Quintana novels rank with the best ones, but SUSPICION OF MALICE provides the audience much more than an exciting legal thriller. The tale is a relationship drama that will remind readers of the works of Delinsky and Siddons. The investigation is fascinating but the heart and soul of the tale rests in the relationship between Gail and Anthony, two obstinate but compatible individuals. Barbara Parker shows much talent in this exciting thriller has cross-genre appeal.Harriet Klausner