Hidden Cove

Tilly’s third standalone romantic thriller set on idyllic Solace Island (after Cliff’s Edge) fails to deliver on its intriguing premise. When crime-fiction writer Gabe Conaghan arrives on Solace Island, he is expecting merely to fulfill his father’s request to inspect an estate. He’s hardly prepared to meet stunning gallery owner Zelia Thompson or get wrapped up in her amateur sleuthing. Though the death of Zelia’s friend and fellow gallery owner was declared a drug overdose, Zelia is sure the story is a cover-up for a murder. Enlisting Gabe’s assistance, Zelia sets to work uncovering a dark conspiracy that endangers everyone on Solace Island. An overly complex plot and exposition-laden dialogue bog down the pace and make the protagonists’ passion feel forced rather than fated. Though Tilly’s fans may enjoy returning to Hidden Cove, this installment never rises above its heavy-handed narration. Agent: Kimberly Witherspoon, InkWell Management. (Oct.)