The Tender Mercy of Roses
May 17, 2011
The Tender Mercy of Roses
Author: Anna Michaels
Publisher: Gallery Books/ Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: May 17, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4391-8099-0
While this book centers around an alcoholic ex-cop and a murder of a young girl, it's not a hard core crime novel nor excessively dark. It's a well written story about people coming together and helping each other cope, survive and grow into life and love once again.
Pony Jones, a wonderfully positive, outgoing young woman who was a star on the rodeo circuit is found dead in the woods. She's discovered by Jo Beth Dawson - once a policewoman, who, after dealing with one too many horrible crimes - turns to alcohol for relief and hasn't held a steady job since about the same time she can remember what morning feels like without a hangover.
A twist comes into the mix. Pony was half Indian and her spirit refuses to settle down until she sees just what happened to her....... and Jo Beth has just enough Indian in her to know when not to ignore "signs" that are thrown in her face. Together they form a team to find Pony's murder - whether they want to or not. Meanwhile Pony's father, Titus, is on his own personal manhunt and fully intends to find and kill the killer.
The mystery deepens as we slowly discover that Jo Beth's and Pony's family share a history and it's not a good one.
Great characters, very interesting and the story grabs from the first minute. A highly entertaining book well worth the read.
