Lies threaten to tear a family apart in this second novel by Chicago radio personality Markey (The Daddy Clock
). Radio host Kate Lerner hasn't heard from her first husband, Richard Farley, since the day he abandoned her and their infant son, Danny. For 15 years, Kate has worked hard to provide for Danny and her daughter from a second marriage, Sarah Rose, without any support from Richard. But when Richard contacts Kate, telling her that he will be dead within one year and that he will pay her a huge sum if she accompanies him to Italy for one week, she accepts his proposition—Danny will be in college soon and Sarah Rose needs reconstructive surgery for an old burn injury. Without explaining her trip to her twin sister, Karen, her second ex-husband, Tim, or her radio show co-host David Weiland, Kate joins Richard in Rome, where she realizes how very little he has changed and that his motives may be suspect. Back home, Kate tries to repair the damage her deceit has done, finding comfort in the arms of David, who is at her side when even more devastating lies are revealed. Markey adequately captures Kate's turmoil over her deceptions, but this lukewarm, implausible family drama lacks suspense, and its easy conclusion is too good to be true. (Aug.)
