The Last Time I Saw You

In this uneven page-turner from the pseudonymous Constantine (The Last Mrs. Parrish), blueblood Baltimore surgeon Kate English’s enviable life implodes with the shocking murder of her mother, a beloved philanthropist—followed by chilling texts insinuating she’s next. To make matters worse, Kate wants her architect husband, who she’s convinced has been cheating on her, to move out of the family mansion, but he insists on staying so he can help protect her and their four-year-old daughter. About the only bright spot is Kate’s unexpected reconciliation after the funeral with long-estranged childhood best friend Blaire Barrington, who offers to apply the detective skills she’s acquired writing a bestselling mystery series to the case. Though increasingly ingenious twists only spotlight the flimsiness of the players, Constantine (sisters Lynne and Valerie Constantine) expertly ratchets up the tension as the nursery-rhyme-referencing threats mount, leading to a security breach that strikes perilously close to home. Those who value plot over character development in their psychological thrillers will be satisfied. [em]Agent: Bernadette Baker-Baughman, Victoria Sanders & Assoc. (May) [/em]