Island of Refuge
The usually solid Hall (November Veil, LJ 4/1/97) stumbles a bit with this flawed, curiously uninvolving thriller. Peter Glass arrives on Lambs Island off the coast of Maine in a confused state, hoping to escape a checkered past. Although Glass is acting oddly, two local women, Naomi and Jo, willingly help him obtain food and shelter. Unfortunately, soon afterward Jo is murdered, and it is revealed she had kidnapped the baby she claimed was her own. The police investigation that follows threatens to reveal secrets that may ruin the lives of Peter, Naomi, and her daughter, Zoe. With the unsympathetic lead character surrounded by a fairly unbelievable and lifeless supporting cast, this mystery never takes hold, and the religious elements seem to be tacked on. Not recommended.Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.