Review of The Last Temptation

The Last Temptation


Author: Gerrie Ferris Finger

Publisher: Five Star

Date: 2012

367 Pages



Amazon.com buy link:

http://www.amazon.com/Last-Temptation-Five-Star-Mystery/dp/1432825895/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1350053251&sr=1-1&keywords=gerrie+ferris+finger


About the Author:

Gerrie Ferris Finger won The Malice Domestic/St. Martin's Minotaur Best First Traditional Novel for THE END GAME, published by St. Martin's on April 27, 2010.

Gerrie grew up in Missouri then went South to write for The Atlanta Constitution. She traveled the Tobacco Roads of Georgia and Alabama and the narrow, historic streets of New Orleans. She wrote about Natchez, Mississippi's unique history, Florida's diverse population, and the Outer Banks struggle to keep light houses from toppling into the sea. Visits to Cape Hatteras resulted in her historical paranormal, THE GHOST SHIP.





About the Book:

When recovering addict, Eileen Cameron and her daughter Linley disapper, Moriah Dru of Child Trace is hired by Eileen’s ex-husband, Bradley Whitney, to find them. Her search takes her to Palm Springs, California. There she meets a string of eccentric characters/suspects. Among them Dartagnan LeRoi, a local cop, Theodosia, a cross-dressing hairdresser and a donut maker named Zing.



The deeper Moriah gets into the case, the more startling discoveries she makes, including the interesting nightlife of staid seeming Professor Bradley Whitney.



Her search leads her into the high desert where she takes part in a Moon Maiden Ceremony, an event that brings danger into her life and threatens her relationship with once partner, and now lover, Police Lieutenant Richard Lake.





Review:

The Last Temptation is first a satisfying mystery, but it is also an entertaining romp with some fascinating characters, not all of who morph into suspects. It would be hard for me to pick a favorite, although Theodosia would be high on my list. Bradley Whitney is wonderful to dislike. Ms. Ferris Finger brings to life his pompous, smug, character.



The plot’s twist and turns kept me flipping the pages. I enjoyed learning of Moriah’s and Police Lieutenant Richard Lake’s complicated relationship. These two are made for each other, but their former loves get in the way.

The Last Temptation is the first novel I’ve read by Gerrie Ferris Finger, but I like her style and will be picking up her back list. Give this story a try and I bet you’ll be looking for more books from this talented lady also.



Reviewed by Barbara M. Hodges