Susan Lentigo's daughter was murdered twenty years ago—and now, at long last, this small-town waitress sets out on a road trip all the way from Upstate New York to North Dakota to witness the killer's execution.
On her journey she discovers shocking new evidence that leads her to suspect the condemned man is innocent—and the real killer is still free. Even worse, her prime suspect has a young daughter who's at terrible risk. With no money and no time to spare, Susan sets out to uncover the truth before an innocent man gets executed and another little girl is killed.
But the FBI refuses to reopen the case. They—and Susan's own mother—believe she's just having an emotional breakdown. Reaching deep, Susan finds an inner strength she never knew she had. With the help of two unlikely allies—a cynical, defiant teenage girl and the retired cop who made the original arrest—Susan battles the FBI to put the real killer behind bars. Will she win justice for the condemned man—and her daughter—at last?
Susan Lentigo is in a holding pattern for the past twenty years. For twenty years she waited for justice and the death of her young daughter’s murderer. The first year after Amy’s death, Susan wanted answers. Why did this man take her daughter? Understandably, she was filled with anger. Guilty was the only verdict she wanted to hear. Death was the only sentence she could accept. Her pain tore her marriage apart. Now twenty years later she is on a trip from New York to North Dakota to see this horrible person put to death. Her baby will have her justice and hopefully, Susan can more on.
Susan is a waitress at the local diner still driving her twenty-year-old car. Basically, she lives paycheck to paycheck, but as often happens in small towns, the community gets together to raise money for her trip to North Dakota. The murder of little Amy Lentigo hit them all. Problems start almost from the time she sets off on her journey. Her old car gives up the ghost and Susan must decide between using all her money to take a plane or get the Greyhound. Greyhound is the more cost-effective options, but it will be tight making it to the prison on time. Bus stations aren’t the safest places for a woman traveling alone.
The concept of The Necklace is very good. I was moved by the plight of this woman who loses everything important to her. Her daughter is brutally murdered. As often happens in cases like this, there is a lot of blame thrown around, which takes a toll on her marriage. It is very easy for the reader to feel Susan’s struggle, pain, and grief.
The author uses flashbacks to take the reader from the present-day
journey to North Dakota back to the events that lead up to the murder. I’m not a big fan of flashbacks in
general. I found myself skimming when I came
to these sections. They seemed to slow
down the pace, even though the information is important to the overall story. The twist was a surprise. Overall, I was captivated by the story and the
characters. I wanted a little more in
the epilogue. I’m sure that is the
romantic in me. The Necklace is a good
look at the justice system. I think you
should give this one a try.
4 STARS
#netgalley #thenecklace
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