The Secret of the Kindred Spirit: A Romantic Mystery Set at Sunset Beach

by Jacqueline DeGroot

Book by DeGroot, Jacqueline

460 pages, Paperback

First published May 30, 2002

About the author

Jacqueline DeGroot lives at Sunset Beach, NC with her husband Bill. She has two grown sons, one in New York and one living locally, and her daughter Kimberly lives in Wilmington. She stays active in her small beach community, especially in Sea Trail Plantation where she’s lived for almost 15 years. She loves to ride bikes with her friends, cook elaborate dinners, decorate lavish cakes, do aerobics and take long walks on the beach. Her love for the Brunswick Islands is apparent in all her books and she’s very happy to live in a place where so many wonderful people continue encouraging her to write.

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I stopped reading. Not going to finish 400 pages when within the first chapter the main character’s “love interest”—a policeman—intentionally spies on the MC while she sunbathes, kicks sand on her, then says or thinks lewd things in reference to her, and I’m supposed to believe these two will become romantically involved while solving a murder mystery? Creepy! Needs a good editor and a reality check I’m afraid. I really wanted to like this as it’s set near where I live but I just can’t support the rapey vibe.

[Julie Carper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the Sunset Beach setting and all of the mentions about places around the island, Bird Island, etc. Hope to meet the author in person someday at the Pelican!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Secret of the Kindred Spirit
By: Jacqueline DeGroot

Sunset Beach is a small island off the coast of North Carolina and it has been in desperate need for a new bridge. After a decade of battles, the island’s residents are still divided on the true need for the bridge versus the fact that it could disturb their peaceful setting. However, Cassie Andrews has arrived with some of crew to start construction. In her quest to learn the island’s layout, she makes a gruesome discovery, a human head. When the responding officer arrives, Cassie’s fear disappears and a new feeling sets in as she meets Michael Troy. Michael Troy has been a cop for several years and if he solves this murder case, he can make detective. He has dreamed of his perfect southern belle wife for years, but Cassie is a complete opposite that he desperately wants to enjoy while he waits for his dream bride to enter his life. Too many questions now plague this small town. Will the bridge be built? Will the murderer be caught? Will Cassie and Troy set aside their differences and fall in love?

Jacqueline DeGroot combines, murder and romance in this story set in a small beach town. The omniscient point of view can be a bit confusing as it bounces around, but it allows readers to connect with each of the characters. Though more romance than suspense, the action intensifies near the end. The main male character can be a bit obnoxious at times, but readers can relate to his inner conflict. The ending will give readers a hint towards which couple will be next to fall in love at Sunset Beach. Pawleys Island residents can relate to the setting of Sunset Beach and its cast of characters.

Notes:
A copy of this book was loaned to me by My Sister's Books bookstore for me to review. To learn more about this bookstore and the books they sell, please visit their website: http://www.mysistersbooks.com

This review was originally posted on my website, Ariesgrl Book Reviews.
To learn more about my reviews, please visit my website at http://ariesgrlreview.com

[Lisa Guy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too sexually unpleasantly graphic to be a an enjoyable read. Not much of a story line- Had to remove it from my vacation home library in fear that a renter might begin reading it and become offended-Glorified explicit raunchy pornography at best.

[KCM73 · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are familiar with Sunset Beach and the surrounding area, you will enjoy the references to local stores, restaurants and the debate over building the new bridge.