Rachel had come a long way from her days of drinking, drugs and jail time. She owned a busy parking garage. She had been clean and sober for a couple of years now. She even had a cat that she loved. Rachel was perfectly happy with her quiet little life. But then people around her began dying, and Rachel knew she had to find out what was going on.

Hank worked at the water treatment plant across from Rachel's parking garage. From the first time he met her, Hank knew Rachel was perfect for him. He just never expected life to get so complicated around her. Trouble just seemed to follow her. But Hank had decided he was in this for the duration, so he would do all he could to help her out of this mess.

First the CEO of the water treatment plant, then her friend, then Chairwoman of the Board of the water treatment plant-too many people connected to Rachel. And Rachel was definitely not comfortable going to the police-not since she'd done jail time. So despite the fact that Hank disagreed with her plan, she decided to find out what had happened, and what connected all these people. But when someone tried to kill her-several times-she realized she could not do it alone. She needed help. And Hank was there.

THICKER THAN BLOOD is full of suspense, from the beginning to the end. Ms. Rudolph included several intriguing plot twists that seemed guaranteed to make you want to keep reading. Rachel was endearing as a vulnerable recovering alcoholic. I kept hoping she would unveil the murderer before something else happened to her!

THICKER THAN BLOOD is a good read for someone who likes a good mystery and suspense novel. There wasn't a lot of romance here, but the subtle touch added was believable. All in all, not a bad novel to curl up with on a rainy day!

Reviewed by Tracy Atencio

_ July 2004