Synopsis

Sweethearts Eric Leidheldt and Desiree Chauveau are spending a weekend at his uncle’s cabin when they encounter two strangers cutting wood. Eric is knocked unconscious, and Desi is viciously attacked. The following day two police officers come to their apartment to arrest Desi. Her assailants are dead, murdered with an axe, and her fingerprints are on it. She confesses—but is she really guilty? Eric is determined to stand by her, but the physical and emotional effects of the attack severely challenge their relationship.

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Review

This was quite an intriguing mystery novella. Not everything is as straightforward as you might expect as you are reading this book. Did Desi kill these men? Logically, the answer is no, but she has confessed, and sometimes people can do some amazing things when under pressure and have heightened adrenaline running through their systems.

This is a story that could be expanded so that we get to know and understand Eric and Desi more deeply. But that does not take away from trying to piece together the pieces and what actually happened at that cabin. I’d love to know the “why” behind why they were attacked up there; that is the only question that didn’t seem to be answered. Maybe these men were just scumbags.

We also lived through Desi’s trauma and her coming to terms with what happened to her. It was also a reflection of how strong their relationship was or wasn’t. There were secrets that came out about Desi’s past that put a new light on the events that followed.

I really enjoyed this book, and it is perfect when you have a shorter amount of time and don’t want to have to put the book down!

We give it 4 paws up.

About the Author

Growing up in San Diego, California, I developed a passion for the printed word with my very first Dick and Jane reader and knew I wanted to be a “book maker” when I grew up. I wrote my first story, “Judy and the Fairies,” when I was six and never stopped. My love of books also led me to an MLS degree from UCLA and a career as a reference and collection development librarian at the San Diego Public Library. Retirement allowed me to put writing front and center. I’ve had twenty-three stories published in literary journals, and The Axe is my seventh book from the Wild Press.

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