in the waning light by loreth anne white

After my light bulb moment, I was on the lookout for the author’s guile. Trump’s book-that I was up against subterfuge. During my initial reading, I searched for missing info without success, and I was annoyed that the author withheld mystery-solving information-until I realized-via Mary L. The overall plot is well-conceived and executed with shrewd brilliance.

Reading & listening was a HUGE help in deciphering the author’s sleight of hand. Aaaargh! Frustrated with the audiobook narrator, I tried Whisper-sync for the first time. Then I listened to the Audible version, which was only slightly better at varying characters’ voices. Add to that, strategic omissions of character’s names and identities. I went back and re-read the first third of the book, which annoyingly seemed to not differentiate women’s voices. Talk about a clichéd light bulb moment! Martin is a literary version of Mary’s infamous uncle! This realization made me re-think what I’d read. But just then, I happened to glance at a borrowed copy of Mary L. I rolled my eyes as Martin-the charismatic, handsome, blue-eyed blond-blathered on about his business, his world trips, his lifestyle, his yacht, his houses, etc. The characters are very well-developed, and although Dana, Lozza, and Maya are likable, others weren’t. ✂️ I thoroughly enjoyed the atmospheric settings, especially that of Jarrawarra Bay, NSW, Australia. As the case takes twist after spiraling twist, Lozza can’t shake the gut instinct that she’s being manipulated. If anything Ellie says can be believed, that is. She sees evidence of a twisted psychological battle and a couple who seemed to bring out the worst in each other - adultery, abuse, betrayal, and revenge. Senior Constable Lozza Bianchi has reasonable doubt.

But behind closed doors is another story - one that ends in Martin’s brutal murder.

Ellie imagines her new home with Martin in an Australian coastal town will be like living a fairy tale. After her daughter’s devastating death, a divorce, and an emotional breakdown, he’s helped her move as far as possible from the grief, the rage, and the monsters of her past. Real-estate mogul Martin Cresswell-Smith is the best thing that has ever happened to Ellie. And if you do, I hope he’s dead and that he suffered.

In the waning light by loreth anne white