ENEMY WITHIN

by Christiane Heggan

Thirty years ago, a woman accused of murdering her husband placed her newborn daughter on a convent's steps, then staged her own death. She leaves behind a mystery that would return three decades later to rock the family…When Rachel Spaulding inherits her family's Napa Valley vineyard, it's a dream come true for the adopted daughter of loving parents. But her legacy is greeted with bitter hatred by her siser, Annie, who vows to do whatever it takes to discredit Rachel and claim the Spaulding vineyards for herself. And Annie begins by hiring a detective to dig into Rachel's past.This was supposed to be a routine investigation, but P.I. Gregory Show realizes too late he's been used. When the information he uncovers for Annie leads to the reopening of a sensational murder case, he can't walk away. Especially when he feels responsible for the pain it's causing Rachel Spaulding.But even Gregory is unaware of the danger emerging from three decades of deceit. And even he can't recognize the enemy within who knows there is only one way to lock the door of the past forever. Murder.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Fiction, Suspense

388 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2000

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. In this book published in 2000, the matriarch of the family vineyards dies. The terms of the will leaves two sisters fighting. The oldest sister, Annie, was left money and the home but not the vineyards. Rachel, who was adopted thirty-one years ago, inherits the vineyards due to her passion for winemaking. Annie hires private investigator Gregory Shaw under false pretenses to find Rachel's birth mother.

This romantic suspense is mostly family drama with a little mystery but I found the story interesting. I liked this book more than the one by the same author that I read about a week ago. Glad I didn't give up on her work.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this murder mystery given to me by a friend. I liked the authors' style and descriptive writing. When Rachel Spauldings' grandmother dies, she inherits the vineyard, but their is much more for Rachel to discover about the secrets of her past that will come back to haunt her and take her on a thrilling mystery ride. She'll also learn a lot about friends and family in her present that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

[Bev Walkling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some truly dysfunctional family dynamics in this one. Hard to believe one could get past some of them.

[Aimen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christiane Heggan is unarguably an incredibly eloquent writer. Enemy Within was a considerably enjoyable book - with interesting characters, and a satisfying enough conclusion. It didn't quite deliver on the suspense front and the stakes didn't seem to rise much throughout the course of the story. The plot was somewhat lukewarm and often times, the dialogue sounded uncannily like the narrative.

Even so, Enemy Within was an enjoyable read. The setting was absolutely enchanting and the little details about wine that were dotted throughout the entire book were charming.

Recommended to anyone looking for a quick, enjoyable read.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the vineyard setting. Nice romance with a decent mystery also.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read to fill down time.