Breach of Promise
Bell'sBreach of Promisecontains less action than most of the author's thrillers, but it's edgier, taking on the prejudice against custodial single fathers and the idiocy of the legal system in general. It features Matt Gillen, a sometime actor who thinks he's leading an idyllic life because of his beautiful actress wife, Paula, and his cute daughter, Maddie. Then Paula gets a role in a famous Italian director's new movie. She promptly dumps Matt for the director, who brings his power and money to bear to ensure that Matt's custody fight for Maddie is almost hopeless. Except perhaps for the sweet made-for-TV ending, the story is engaging, shrewd about Hollywood, and contains some brilliant minor characterizations, such as Matt's father, a small-time criminal who thinks he's a flower child.John MortCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved