This is the second psychological thriller about Rosa Thorn. Vena Cork’s heroine lives in London and is the widow of an artist whose last works are being exhibited in a gallery. The story begins with the exhibition and various artists behaving in bizarre ways which shock Rosa. Rosa is extremely attractive but oblivious of her attractions which makes her very appealing. A subtle web of menace surrounds her and all her interactions with friends and acquaintances are tinged by this. One of the artists who had been at the gallery opening is found dead apparently by his own hand but Rosa is not so sure. The narrative is mainly through Rosa’s eyes but other characters describe their experiences usually at tense moments; there are flashback references from an unknown contributor from the beginning.
Tension is present throughout producing a rapid turning of pages as it rises to extreme levels. This is exciting stuff well presented by the author with plenty of threatening events which sometimes come to nothing but on other occasions pile fright upon fright.
---------------------
Jennifer S. Palmer
Thorn is the title of the first book about Rosa Thorn and there is a third adventure about her, Green Eye, published in December, 2006.