Emerald

Having just recently discovered Phyllis A. Whitney, I must admit she has conquered another loyal reader. A young woman almost conquered by a cruel husband flees with her son to save herself and her son from his cruelty. She runs to her great aunt's very secure fortress. But there she finds her safety in doubt as well as her aunt's, a former Hollywood star who quit the scene after her last movie entitled "Mirage." The secrets of the aunt's past coupled with the cruelty of the husband throws our heroine into many neat twists. The denoument is so very clever. As I read I found myself really getting into the mysteries of the star, but at the same time the tribulations of her niece were so complex and real. Once I started I had a hard time putting the novel down. Thank you Mrs. Whitney for some interesting reading while I sunned myself at the beach. I am ready for another installment of mystery and intrigue.