Between two strangers A novel of suspense

Skyler Moore, a talented artist but not a successful one, is baffled when a man--a total stranger, apparently--leaves her a small fortune in his will. Later, she figures out that she did meet the man once, but how does a decade-old, one-night stand lead to this surprise inheritance? The dead man's family isn't exactly thrilled with this turn of events either, hurling nasty accusations at Skyler. In her quest to understand, she uncovers some old secrets that could change her life even more than the inheritance has already changed it. White, whose The Second Husband (2022) was an intricate and very suspenseful thriller, turns in another fine performance here. The writing sizzles, the mystery of the inheritance is intriguing, and the characters are vivid. Readers who have yet to read White's fiction are in for a real treat; longtime fans know what to expect. For domestic thriller devotees, White delivers the goods.

Struggling collage artist Skyler Moore is blindsided by the unexpected announcement that a stranger has left her a multimillion-dollar inheritance, a turn of events that could refurbish her shabby apartment, create the perfect art studio, and help her fulfill her dream of having a child. Skyler is poised to burst upon the New York City art scene with her upcoming gallery show, but it has been a difficult path to get to this point. Twelve years ago her life was upended when her sister Chloe died at a party they attended at a wealthy family's home. The tragedy was unresolved, but her mother cannot help but blame Skyler. A bewildered Skyler begins to explore possible reasons why the money was bequeathed to her. Tiny clues steadily emerge that entwine her past with the donor's family. Increasingly feeling stalked, Skyler becomes determined to learn the truth. VERDICT White (The Second Husband) relies too much on coincidence and uncertainty in this psychological suspense novel that is low in tension. Several characters are primed to be more threatening, but little develops, leaving the plot curiously flat. For readers who like a puzzle with a twist.--Gloria Drake