Catherine Gray is back in Aurora Falls after being away several years for school. As a psychologist, shes gotten an office at a local office but her patient roster is still on the light side. She has finally landed her teenage love, though, James Eastman. He was married when Catherine had her crush on him, but he is no longer and they've been seeing one another for a while.
When she and her sister Marissa journey to the old Eastman cottage so Catherine can show her the land for a potential house, something tragic happens. Catherine falls through some old wood and comes into contact with a body. Its Renee Eastman, Jamess first wife who disappeared several years ago.
James reacts differently than Catherine would like him to, but she shrugs it off and continues her daily routine. She does add something to it, though. She visits the local art gallery where it is said that a painting of Renee hangs. Even though the woman is wearing a mardi gras mask, Catherine knows it is Renee, a woman who was known for her loose ways.
When two other people are found murdered, Catherine and James begin to wonder whats really going on. Catherine begins to suspect James, until there is an attack on both of their lives. Who murdered Renee and now wants James new love dead? Why?
TO THE GRAVE is a suspense driven story but I was never clear why there were so many supporting characters that lent nothing to the plot. There were definitely some characters in this book that were not needed in any capacity. The plot does twist and turn and I was surprised with the ending but the story didn't reach out and grab me, like most of Thompson's books do. I liked it, and will read Thompson's books again, it just is not up to her usual standards.
Catherine Gray is happy to be back in her hometown and in the arms of her first love, James Eastman. James has recently divorced his wife after she disappeared without a word two years ago. While showing her sister a property that the Eastman family owns, Catherine stumbles across a body. She recognizes the woman as James' ex-wife, Renee Moreau. As the police begin their investigation, a fire destroys the crime scene. When another murder victim also appears to have ties to James, Catherine fears someone may be setting him up.
I've read a few of this author's mystery/suspense books, but this one didn't work for me. There was a lot of filler in this book...many detailed descriptions and inane conversations that had absolutely nothing to do with the mystery. The characters were not well developed. Many of them were just plain unlikeable. The mystery itself was okay. My rating: 2.5 Stars.
