Search - In Close (Bulletproof, Bk 3)

This one is not my favorite of the series but still a good read.

Clearly I'm in the minority with my dislike of this book, but I honestly had to force myself to finish it. The problem was the hero was the only character I liked! The heroine was a depressed, underweight widow trying to solve the murders of her mother and her husband. Everyone in the town was a suspect, including her stepmother, stepfather, and sister so I couldn't connect with any of the secondary characters (none of them are likable anyway - instead manipulative, alcoholic & meddling). Even the police were suspected of being corrupt in a very small town. I truly enjoy romantic suspense by authors like Cindy Gerard and Tara Janzen. I didn't find this romantic or suspenseful, but rather dark and disturbing. SPOILERS COMING There are additional suicides, a murder, housebreaking, kidnapping, and arson. Too dark for me! I also didn't appreciate the author's choice of the killer. Finally, are we still using the word "crippled" in 2011?