Just Jennifer

Fear the Darkness by Becky Masterman (January 20, 2015)

Former FBI agent Brigid Quinn is adjusting to retirement and to marriage to not quite former priest and philosopher Carlo when she learns that her younger sister has died from complications from MS.  Brigid had promised Marilyn that Marilyn’s daughter Gemma-Kate could live with Brigid and Carlo to establish residency in Arizona so the seventeen-year-old could attend college at instate rate; Brigid, who never had children cannot and does not fathom the changes that are in store for her when the teenager enters her life.  Brigid continues to work as a private investigator and agrees to look into the death of the fourteen year old son of Jacqui Nielson and her husband Tim the previous year.  Joe drowned in the family’s swimming pool and the death was ruled in accident, something Jacqui does not believe.  At first, Brigid doesn’t realize what a hornet’s nest she is stirring up, but after one of Pugs eats a poisonous toad she gets suspicious of everyone around her, including and especially her niece who gets involved with the group of boys who were friends of Joe’s.  When Brigid begins experiencing physical ailments similar to many neurological disorders including Parkinson’s she becomes concerned and confused, and after her church congregation drinks coffee tainted with anti-freeze she wonders if she is crazy or if someone is after her.  But sometimes, what we need to see is right in front of us and Brigid may be asking the wrong questions of the wrong people and may not realize it until it is too late.  Sharply drawn characters punctuate a quickly paced narrative.  Brigid’s worsening physical condition and what it does to her mentally, may be uncomfortable for many readers as it rings very true to life.  Carlo and others in her life are supportive of her and her frustration is palpable as she knows what she needs is just beyond her grasp.