Married to a Stranger

In MacDonald's sixth novel, a smotheringly melodramatic mix of romance and suspense, 26-year-old psychologist Emma Hollis embarks on a nightmarish journey that begins with small glitches that raise doubts on the day she marries freelance writer David Webster. Things take a more serious turn during their honeymoon in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. After David goes out to chop wood for their cabin fire, a hooded figure attacks Emma with an ax. Though seriously wounded, Emma is saved by a passing hunter who loses his life protecting her. Where was David? Was he the attacker? Emma realizes that aside from his looks and the wonderful sex, which has resulted in her pregnancy, she knows little about her new husband. MacDonald (Stranger in the House ) offers a handful of suspects, but time and again David emerges as the likeliest one. Suspend disbelief and MacDonald delivers plenty of suspense, unlikely twists and a resolution of puzzling uncertainty. (July)