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Amethyst Dreams

by Phyllis A. Whitney

Phyllis A. Whitney is probably more likely to be listed in the gothic/mystery category than in the actual murder mystery field, but her novels contain no less mystery, her writing is well-known as excellent, and her characters very real. Amethyst Dreams is only one of Ms. Whitney's many accomplishments, although a very good example of her craft. Amethyst Dreams bursts with intrigue and interesting people; the romantic side is decidedly downplayed, and the story captures you so completely that you won't be satisfied until you've reached the end of the book – and then you'll wish there was more.

Hallie Knight has discovered that her husband, Paul, has had an extramarital affair – so she welcomes the opportunity to escape from her home and accept an invitation from the grandfather of a former friend. The friend was Susan Trench, who disappeared two years ago from Topsail Island, off the coast of North Carolina. The grandfather, Nicholas Trench, thinks that perhaps Hallie can find Susan, his favorite granddaughter, or at least discover what happened to her, since Hallie was so close to Susan during their college years.

Hallie lives in California, so the trip, paid for by Nicholas, means she'll fly all the way across the country. She does, and meets some of the others involved, many of whom are unwelcoming. The family consists primarily of Louise and her unassuming husband, Ryce (who is Nicholas' son), then there is Mrs. Orion, the housekeeper and her son Corey, a dark-haired handsome devil, Richard Merrick, the attorney, who meets Hallie at the airport and is also privy to Nicholas' will, Anne Trench, an artist and Nicholas' wife, who has chosen to leave him and live apart, also Carlina, Fergus, and Dulcie Cameron, neighbors. Fergus and Nicholas were once close friends, but separated after disagreement over a contested female.

An amethyst geode in Hallie's room is used as a bookend – then the other half is presented to her by Dulcie Cameron, a young girl who found it partway down Pirate's Pit, a seemingly never-ending hole in the ground now surrounded by fencing to keep off the unwary. Hallie finds herself smack in the middle of clashing wills, subtle intrigue, and knowledge about Susan which some insist on keeping jealously to themselves. Nicholas is dying of cancer, and Hallie discovers that he means to leave her his money in place of leaving it to Ryce, much to Louise' displeasure. Things get even more complicated when Hallie's husband suddenly appears – staying with a film star who has temporarily rented a beach house nearby.

The mystery of what happened to Susan is unraveled at last, along with the revelation of a completely different side of one of the characters, and the book reaches a happy conclusion. Phyllis A. Whitney remains a brilliant light in the dark world of murder and mayhem.

Alan Paul Curtis

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