When I saw the title of Michelle Perry’s newest book The Three Motives for Murder, it made me wonder what the three motives for murder are. Could love, greed and revenge be those motives? Ms. Perry draws the reader into an expanding web of lies, intrigue and desire. This action packed suspense is full of old flames and old secrets that will keep you reading to the very end.

The small town of Coalmont, Tennessee has had its share of tragedy when a car crash on graduation night leaves six of its teenagers either dead or fighting for their lives. Years later, the aftermath sends ripples through the town, when one of the three survivors is murdered and no one feels the ripples more than Natasha Hawthorne, the young driver responsible for the crash.

When those survivors become the targets of a murderer, the obvious motive is revenge. But things aren’t always what they seem, and the notion of revenge served cold doesn’t ring true with Brady Simms, newly appointed police chief.

To make things even more difficult, suffering from memory loss, Natasha doesn’t remember anything about the accident and soon Brady finds himself standing squarely between the unknown killer and Natasha, the woman who broke his heart four years ago. But as investigation heats up, Brady finds that the facts around the car crash just don’t add up. Now he must decide whom to believe and find out what the true motive behind the murder is.

The Three Motives for Murder is full of twists and turns that will keep readers guessing until the very end. The complex relationship between Natasha and Brady, which Ms. Perry creates where they must face their true feelings for each other, is intense. As with most suspense that take place in a small town, there is the sense of a close-knit community and yet not knowing what really goes on behind closed doors. With great supporting characters Ms. Perry gives readers more depth and color. I for one will be avidly watching for the next Michelle Perry mystery. This one is for the keeper shelf.

 
Reviewed By: Theresa
© July 2007