Final Truth

May 1, 2006
At the start of the fourth novel of romantic suspense in Stewart's Truth series (after 2005's Dark Truth), Regan Landry-the daughter of a deceased true crime writer who's followed in his footsteps to great acclaim-is floundering around for a new book idea. When fraud at a DNA lab is uncovered and several rape and murder convictions are overturned, Regan thinks she's found her story. She'll write about Lester Ray Barnes, wrongly convicted of murder, now set free. But shortly after Barnes is released from prison, several dead bodies turn up-women whose lips have been smeared with blood and who hold a clump of flowers in their lifeless hands, just like Barnes's purported first victim. Is Barnes, in fact, a ruthless killer, or is someone trying to set him up? Regan, working with her delicious beau, FBI agent Mitch Peyton, is determined to find out. While a revelation about Regan's family comes out of left field and the culminating scene in which the real killer is unmasked isn't exactly surprising, Regan's charm and the novel's fast pace will keep readers turning the pages.

May 8, 2006
At the start of the fourth novel of romantic suspense in Stewart's Truth series (after 2005's Dark Truth), Regan Landry-the daughter of a deceased true crime writer who's followed in his footsteps to great acclaim-is floundering around for a new book idea. When fraud at a DNA lab is uncovered and several rape and murder convictions are overturned, Regan thinks she's found her story. She'll write about Lester Ray Barnes, wrongly convicted of murder, now set free. But shortly after Barnes is released from prison, several dead bodies turn up-women whose lips have been smeared with blood and who hold a clump of flowers in their lifeless hands, just like Barnes's purported first victim. Is Barnes, in fact, a ruthless killer, or is someone trying to set him up? Regan, working with her delicious beau, FBI agent Mitch Peyton, is determined to find out. While a revelation about Regan's family comes out of left field and the culminating scene in which the real killer is unmasked isn't exactly surprising, Regan's charm and the novel's fast pace will keep readers turning the pages.

Copyright 2006 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2006
Lester Ray Barnes is released from death row after it is determined that false testimony was given at his trial. True-crime writer Regan Landryn thinks Lester Ray's story has potential, but soon after his release, Lester Ray disappears, and other women begin to die in the same ritualistic manner as his alleged first victim. Regan works with FBI agent Mitch Peyton to find Lester Ray before he kills again, or to determine if a copycat is at work. There isn't much suspense since the perpetrator is apparent, but the fast-paced story holds readers with investigative detail. The fourth in a solid series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)