Home Before Midnight

Bailey Wells wanted bigger things than could be found in her hometown of Stokesville, North Carolina. She left for New York City with the intention of pursuing her goal of becoming a writer. Years later she is the personal assistant to Paul Ellis, a well known true crime author. Research for his next book brings Bailey accompanying her employer and his wife back to the town she had escaped from and no closer to her dreams.

Another local resident has just returned from a life as a police detective in Washington, DC. Widower Steve Burke makes the move back home when it becomes clear that he needs to be someplace where he can spend more time with his daughter, Gabrielle. With the slower pace of life and the extra support of having his mother able to watch her granddaughter whenever he is unexpectedly called to duty, he is hoping for a better life for them both.

Helen Stokes Ellis is from the family Stokesville is named after and is also Paul’s wife. When Bailey finds her dead in the pool, the police are called, curiosity is stirred, and the small town calm is shaken.

Home Before Midnight was an interesting look at murder in the setting of a small town. The limitations, suspicious attitudes towards outsiders, and the interwoven lives of residents were all well portrayed.

Readers will enjoy watching Bailey grow from efficient but unconfident doormat for her employer to a capable woman surer of her worth. Her initial persona is almost painful to watch in how she appeased selfish attitudes of others and allowed herself to be taken advantage of to do her boss’ bidding. It did seem a bit strange that someone would have enough drive to move away from their roots and then accept a position that stunted their dreams.

Three years after the death of his wife and in many ways Steve still seems to be in mourning and trying to come to terms with his loss. Ms. Kantra does a good job in showing us the vulnerabilities of a strong man trying to get through his days by going through the motions of life. His anguish that he is failing as a single father feels quite real.

The mystery itself twists, turns and grows. This is a case of a mystery within a mystery since the book research is on an old murder in the town by teenaged boy Billy Ray Dawler. He was charged and sentenced for the murder of his grandmother, mother and younger sister.

With the complications of Bailey being one of the suspects for the murder of Paul’s wife and the crush she has nursed for her employer, the story initially looks like quite a snarl. Add to this, that Steve is the lead investigator into the recent murder and one has a wonderful conflict. A good part of the fun is the untangling that goes through the story. One enjoys watching how leads and evidence are slowly revealed.

Steve and Bailey make a good balance for each other and one is happy to see them come together in this enjoyable romantic suspense.

October 2006