Murder in Friendship Heights

ISBN: 1479181226

Author: Brand, Veronica J.

Condition: New

Product Description A Christmas blizzard threatens to bury the Nation's capital in nearly two feet of snow. Directly in the path of the blizzard of the century sits the bedroom community of Friendship Heights. The village locals all know a few inches of snow can cripple the Washington D.C. Area and they are prepared. Unknowing travelers, however, are at the mercy of the snow storms. In a quirky twist of fate, international hit-man John Garrett blunders into his assignment with stoic perseverance and is nearly killed by an unknown assailant before he can find his target in Friendship Heights. With the city crippled over the Christmas holiday, Garrett finds himself stranded with a pretty woman linked to two murders and likely to be the third victim unless Garrett finds the murderer in time. But unknown to Garrett, another silent , bigger danger threatens his life and his time is running out. Review Five Stars (out of Five) In the compelling Murder in Friendship Heights, Veronica Brand crafts a captivating and clever tale in which no one can be judged at face value. It all begins when hit man John Garrett reaches his destination and things take an abrupt turn: It wasnt the chill down his spine or the strange sensation of being watched by someone in the black. It was the gut feeling that this assignment had changed and he was winging it. With his plan soon blown off course by a vicious assault and by the snow storm, Garrett gains the assistance of Cat Tracey, a pretty and intelligent young woman with secrets of her own... the twoforge an unexpected bond even as the danger around them grows. Brand introduces readers to an intriguing cast of characters, most notably the opinionated retirees of Friendship Heights. Also worth mentioning is Cats protective Rottweiler, Leo, whose name is a clever acronym. While all characters-human or canine-are treated with equally meticulous attention, Garrett is revealed particularly well. Each layer of his personality is peeled back little by little until readers come to understand his motivations and true nature. Cat, whose reasons for crossing paths with Garrett are more complicated than they first appear, is developed just as gradually and successfullyher decision to take in Garrett proves both dangerous and life changing. Murder in Friendship Heights is a character-driven tale. There is a measured build of narrative tension and character development that proves effective and gives the story a certain noir appeal. The atmospheric tone never detracts from the escalating suspenseBrand has a definite talent for setting a sceneand a unique perspective that serves her well in crafting the story. Readers will be pleased that Brand has plans for more mysteries in Friendship Heights.beginning.--Foreword Clarion Review