Purple Knot, by Raquel Byrnes
Reviewed by: Lara M. Van Hulzen
Genre: Romance/Suspense
Publisher: White Rose Publishing
Publication Date: May 29, 2011

When Reyna Cruz finds out that her best friend, Summer who is eight months pregnant, is in the hospital and near death, her world turns upside down. Leaving her successful private investigating business in the hands of her capable assistant, Salem, she leaves San Francisco and heads to Seattle. Going back to where she grew up not only brings back memories of her high school years with Summer, but also makes her face a painful past with Summer’s twin brother, Jimmy.

Reyna believes that Summer’s husband, Parker, beat her up again. The doctor tells her that she is Summer’s legal medical guardian. Summer is essentially brain dead so Reyna must choose to take her friend off life support to save the baby, or wait to see if Summer survives, but risk losing the child. Having to decide between losing them both or saving the baby Reyna signs to papers to have Summer taken off life support.

Believing wholeheartedly that Summer was murdered by Parker, Reyna uses her skills as a private investigator to try and prove it. But her determination scares Jimmy who believes it will only cause him to lose her – again. Four years ago, Jimmy and Reyna were engaged but when tragedy struck, she ran to San Francisco and never returned. Having only spoken briefly in the past year and mainly about Summer, Jimmy and Reyna are thrown back together attempting to prove just exactly who murdered Summer while dealing with the feelings they still have for each other.

Purple Knot is a fast paced story full of twist and turns. Reyna is feisty and confident and fearless, which makes her an exciting character either on the brink of a big discovery or getting into some kind of trouble. Jimmy is loyal, solid and completely lovable with a patience level high enough to handle Reyna.

I liked that their problems were realistic and the way they resolved them were believable as well. Raquel Byrnes did her homework and weaved together a fantastic story that will have you on the edge of your seat not wanting to put the book down until you’ve read the last page.

Rated PG13: Nothing inappropriate. Simply plot twists and turns that a younger reader wouldn’t be able to follow.

Book provided by the reviewer.