The Secret Hour by Luanne Rice

Drops of blood splashed on the floor. Focused, John examined his daughter to make sure she hadn't gotten cut.


Title: The Secret Hour
Author: Luanne Rice
ISBN: 0553584014
Publisher: Bantam/2003
Pages: 395

The Secret Hour is a mystery, a thriller and a romance. I would say the reality element is scary part of it. At times, it feels as if this is happening.

Based in New England, John O'Rourke is a defense lawyer for a serial killer and is detested by people for his work. His children, Maggie and Teddy too have to cope with the rigors of his work. They are targets of hate and much ridicule. Their mother had died in an accident and no baby-sitter lasts long due to the erratic long hours kept by John.

Then Kate arrives one fine morning. The same day someone had hurled a brick through their window. With no rhyme or reason, kids take to her. Her warmth reaches out to them. John is sceptical. Kate is looking for her sister Willa, who had disappeared some 6 months back just a little before the serial killer was caught. She wants John to help, who is reluctant for the same. He feels he can't betray his client's confidences.

The bonding between the siblings, be it Maggie and Teddy or Kate and Willa is shown to be very strong. Each can go to any length to save the other. John is tormented by his memories of his dead wife, his work and his attraction for Kate. The children sense that Kate is their side and they bask in her love and reciprocate it.

When another murder takes place in the same way as before, everyone is flabbergasted. That means there is someone else, who is copying the murder of that serial killer. Who is that person? And when it does come into light, we can't believe it. Luanne Rice has managed to keep the mystery and the suspense alive until the end. The matter is not as easy at it seems what with murders and serial killers. There isn't much romance but that somehow makes sense in this page turner.