Suspicion of Madness [Large Print] (Hardcover)

I usually like the romance and the chemistry between Gail and her fiance, Anthony Quintana, but even that didn't save the book. These two characters have been through some serious issues as detailed in earlier books. It isn't plausible that at this stage of their relationship they'd be having trouble over the issue of when to set the wedding date, especially with Anthony agreeing to whatever Gail wanted! I would have preferred to see some real growth in their relationship.

Still, I'm not sorry I read the book. It's worth reading if you follow the series. If you don't, this isn't the book with which to start.

For one thing, there were too many "zany" characters, which made it nearly impossible to find any kind of entertainment value in any of them. There also seemed to be too many "subplots" going on at the same time, which made it difficult to follow along with the main story.

Gail has gone from a feisty, independent attorney to an insecure whining shrew. One wonders if she can go to the bathroom without checking with and getting Anthony's permission first. She whines when she thinks he doesn't want to marry her, then after deciding that maybe it's not a good idea to get married in the Keys without letting her daughter know, she gets upset when he suggests putting the wedding off until he's not in the middle of a case. She's still being manipulated by her daughter, but at the same time, she's breaking promises to her because she can't bear the thought of leaving Anthony's side for even a day. The character is turning into a caricature of who she used to be. And Anthony, ugh...I'm not sure I can think of a more stereotypical character except perhaps Carolina Aguilera-Garcia's Lupe Solano. The Spanish phrases, repeated in English in the next line, are overdone already. I've had enough of this rich, well-heeled Cuban to last me a lifetime. No one is this "perfect."

Hopefully this series will get back on track...though I'm not sure that's possible as long as Gail and Anthony remain together. I'd like to see the author return this series to the "Gail Connor" series that it used to be, rather than the "Gail Connor and Anthony Quintana" series that it's become.

But this story lacked tightness. It was spread too thin with too much going on. Not enough tension. The plot seemed tired, as if she threw in characters just to fill the space.

But I still can't wait for the next one. I am sure the next one will be better.