Recently Carolyn has become a little uneasy in her relationship with Veronica Campbell, her best friend since childhood. Veronica is married to Drew and they have four children, a teenager, Jude, and three much younger children. The Campbells are struggling to make ends meet and Jude, who has always been a difficult child, has become totally uncooperative. Carolyn feels she is flaunting her almost idyllic life in her friend’s face. Nonetheless, Veronica seems to be happy and looking forward to being Carolyn’s matron of honor at her upcoming wedding.

Veronica is a probation officer, working side by side with Carolyn. Carolyn has noticed a tendency in her friend to let things slide rather than treat them with her usual thoroughness and care, making her wonder if there are more difficulties in Veronica’s private life. This niggling thought becomes a full blown concern when Carolyn is informed that her best friend has been found shot to death in a seedy motel room.

Rumors abound. Seventeen-year-old Jude claims she has been sexually abused by her father since age ten. In addition, she admits to having had two abortions before she was fifteen but hedges about who the father of either might have been. Veronica is said to have been having an affair with a married man. Drew appears shell shocked especially when confronted with allegations of child abuse.

Carolyn does not know who to believe and where to start to begin sifting through information to fathom the truth of her friend’s death. She wonders if she can trust even her own daughter or fiancé. At times she even questions her own sanity.

Although the story moves quickly, emotionally it is a difficult read because of the subject matter with which it deals. Child abuse is abhorrent to most people and incest has to be the most brutal form that this type of abuse can take. This tale is not for the squeamish. The author hits the subject head on and describes the ramifications that occur and the effects of such abuse on children as they grow older. Rosenberg has been a probation officer so it is reasonable to assume that the details she uses to flesh out her story come from the real world not her imagination.

Interwoven into the main topic, the author has introduced some worthy social issues as well. Carolyn clearly loves her job and is good at it. Her future husband points out to her that he is well equipped to support her and she should consider the danger inherent in her occupation and her “duty” to her family to be there for them. This dilemma probably is a common one in today’s society. Women need to work for reasons other than additional family income.

As the story is resolved there are many convolutions and red herrings thrust in the reader’s face which, though the may be close to the truth, border on the bizarre. That several people exhibit such disgusting and antisocial behavior is mind boggling. Yet the author’s credentials lead one to believe that she speaks the truth. This is a sad commentary on the depravity present in today’s society. However, Ms. Rosenberg’s message is clear. To pretend that such conditions do not exist and do nothing to remedy them is a criminal act as well.

--Andy Plonka