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Can You Believe the News?
Something odd is going on at Worthington House. Several of the elderly residents have died - but is it of natural causes? Questions multiply as an investigation of these baffling event's engrosses America's favorite hometown.

An Old Flame Rekindled
Doctor Jeffrey Baron had been nurse Cecelia Hayes's first love. Now they are thrown together again when the recently widowed Cece returns to Tyler after a ten-year absence.

Against a Backdrop of Danger
Jeff and Cece had both been hurt when they parted years ago. But as they work together to determine what's killing the residents of Worthington House, they find themselves drawn to each other...

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 1, 1992

5 people are currently reading
247 people want to read

About the author

Marisa Carroll

81 books14 followers
Marisa Carroll is the pseudonym for sisters Carol Wagner and Marian L. Franz. The sisters also write under the names Joellyn Carroll, Jo Bremer, and Malissa Carroll.

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5 stars
49 (30%)
4 stars
59 (37%)
3 stars
38 (23%)
2 stars
10 (6%)
1 star
3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for Jess.
3,590 reviews5 followers
March 3, 2024
I also have distinct memories of reading this one as a teen, and I like the romance in it as much today as I did then. It's a second chance of a failed teenage romance, and they actually deal with why they didn't work back then and with the things that have happened in their lives to change them from who they were then, and it's really great. And the thing with their class rings is just *chef's kiss* SO GOOD. What's harder about this book is the ambitious for its time foray into assisted suicide and developmentally disabled characters--nothing that's on page strikes me as intentionally insensitive or patronizing, but is it something that would be written today? I don't think so, no.
Profile Image for Emily.
805 reviews120 followers
June 6, 2011
Marisa Caroll has been entrusted with two of the most important volumes in this series, and I can't help but think that was a mistake. As if there isn't enough plot line with the romance of Dr. Jeff Baron and Cece Hayes, she also introduces a subplot involving a mercy killer at the nursing home Cece is in charge of. Because of this, much less time is focused on the reconnection of the two former high school sweethearts and the healing from her husband's death and his divorce, and too much on the nursing home mystery and the advancement of Judson's impending indictment for the 40 year old murder of his wife. I feel like I barely know Cece and Jeff, which is sad because I was so looking forward to Jeff's story. There's also a lot of continuity issues involving time and clothing, such as Jeff returning from the hospital wearing jeans and showing up at the nursing home at 7, dealing with a sick patient, going home to go to bed and asking his mom to wake him at 9:30. It seems like it should have been almost 9:30 by then already. Anyhow, this book is only worthwhile if you're making your way through the series, and only because of the developments in Margaret's murder case.
Profile Image for Cathy Savage.
548 reviews1 follower
May 27, 2021
This is the story of a small town seniors residence with an "angel of mercy" running loose. Written in 1992 it is definitely dated. The actions of the male protagonist is very "macho" as he strong arms the female into a relationship. Thankfully this type of behaviour is no longer acceptable in society. The editing in this one sucks as continuity is sorely lacking. It is an unrealistic, escapist fantasy with no direct relation to reality with timelines so abbreviated as to be ridiculous.
Profile Image for Susan.
578 reviews6 followers
October 29, 2025
Is there an Angel of Death at Worthington House? Will they find out what's going on?

Jeff Baron is filling in as doctor at Worthington house, and stuff starts happening! Cece Hayes comes back to town after the death of her husband. Did she and Jeff have something going on back in the day? Can they work together to find out what's going on?

Who killeld Margaret? Will we ever find out the truth??/
Profile Image for Kim.
260 reviews6 followers
March 3, 2018
Quick easy read with loveable characters!
Profile Image for Nancy.
157 reviews1 follower
February 9, 2011
A little slow in the beginning but a sweet ending
238 reviews1 follower
September 23, 2012
They're getting better as they go along. Judson Ingalls is being held for trial for the murder of his wife so many years ago. The next installment of the series is the trial. Can't wait!
104 reviews2 followers
September 23, 2013
it just was...............nothing that made me want to pick the book up and read.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews

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