From Publishers Weekly
Miami lawyers Gail Connor and Anthony Quintana head to Key West for a combined romantic vacation and murder investigation in the seventh of Parker's Suspicion series (Suspicion of Vengeance, etc.). As in previous installments, the pressures of the chase test the relationship of the high-powered couple, and Florida's lush landscape adds color to a mystery that makes up in intensity what it lacks in depth. It all begins when wealthy client Martin Greenwald invites Quintana to his resort in the Florida Keys to help his troubled stepson, Billy, who is under suspicion for murder. Certain Billy is innocent, Quintana convinces Connor to join him to share the delights of the island. But they find little time for amusement because as soon as they arrive, they learn Billy has attempted suicide. In quick order, lies and bodies are uncovered, and Connor and Quintana find themselves investigating an aging B-movie starlet, a pair of conniving local lawyers, the client's overextended family and a stuttering handyman who does odd jobs, showing up in the oddest places at the oddest times. The intertwining lives of the characters reflect the Florida culture around them-rich in dreaming, scheming and explosive undercurrents. The surprise ending is no surprise for Hitchcock fans, but former state prosecutor and practicing attorney Parker paces her story well and neatly ties up loose ends. She also heats up the legal intrigue with the fiery romance between Latin lover Quintana and single mom Connor, ensuring that fans-even those who have seen the same movies Parker has-will stay tuned for the next escapade of Miami's tempestuous legal sweethearts. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Parker's sixth contribution to her "Suspicion of" series takes Gail Connor and Anthony Quintana on a working vacation to the Florida Keys. Shortly after their arrival, Anthony is retained to represent a former client, a 19-year-old who has confessed to murdering his mother and step-father, owners of the posh Buttonwood Resort on Lindeman Key-a murder the vacationing couple doesn't believe he committed. Even before Anthony and Gail can settle into their bungalow, they become acquainted with an assortment of soon-to-become suspects, who range from a handyman to an aging movie star. As the case unfolds, these characters reveal their unique claim to possible madness and motive. Meanwhile, Gail and Anthony toy with the idea of turning the trip into a honeymoon when a tropical storm threatens the Keys. Suspense builds as the stakes are artfully raised on all fronts, giving fans another glimpse into the lives of this hot-blooded legal duo. For all popular fiction collections.--Nancy McNicol, Whitneyville Branch Lib., Hamden, CT Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
Listeners may think they've picked up a full-cast performance when they listen to this outstanding narration by William Dufris and Christine Marshall. The character mix features a reclusive movie star known for vampire movies, a dangerous teenager bent on suicide, a stuttering handyman, a resort owner who needs a heart transplant but refuses to burden his younger wife with that information, a woman whose verbal abuse exceeds all bounds of decency, and an abusive father. The thin line between sanity and madness reveals itself as clues are unraveled. A South Florida tropical storm, buried treasure, and a surprise ending will keep listeners attentive to the last word. K.A.T. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine


From Booklist
The lawyer-lover duo of Gail Connor and Anthony Quintana returns in another lively legal romp, where they're summoned to a small private island in the Florida Keys to help defend Billy, a young man accused of murder. Anthony had represented Billy before and had befriended Billy's parents--that is, Billy's mother, Teri, and stepfather, Martin, the wealthy resort island owner. The victim, a promiscuous young lady named Sandra, and Billy had a past, but Parker keeps alive the possibility that any other of the strange island inhabitants might be guilty, including Lois, Martin's bossy sister, who manages the resort; Douglas, Martin's attorney, who was sleeping with Sandra; Joan, a washed-up, shut-in starlet, whose family originally owned the island; Kyle, Billy's real father, who has a history of violence; or Arnel, the slow-witted assistant at the resort. Unfortunately, the usually scintillating relationship between Anthony and Gail takes a backseat here. Still, the mystery is quirky and unusual, which ought to please fans of this popular series. Mary Frances Wilkens
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description
For nearly a decade Barbara Parker's phenomenally successful thrillers have delighted readers and reviewers alike. The Chicago Tribune applauds her "taut storytelling...tight plotting and lively characterization." The Miami Herald hails her for her "well-paced, compelling stories and believable characters with emotional depth and texture that should turn casual readers into fanatics." And the San Antonio Express-News calls her novels simply "enthralling." Now this supremely gifted author returns with a blockbuster story of smoldering suspense that pits Gail and Anthony against their most chilling adversary yet.

For attorneys Gail Connor and Anthony Quintana, spending a couple of days in a private villa on a secluded island in the Florida Keys seems almost too good to be true. The innocent cliché hits home with a vengeance when a dangerously unbalanced former client of Anthony's is suspected of a local murder, and then attempts suicide. As an idyllic vacation turns into an escalating nightmare of terror and death, Gail and Anthony find themselves isolated among the strange and secretive islanders as a late tropical storm threatens to unleash its fury on them all. Somehow, they must hang on to their sanity and use every weapon at their disposal to outwit a wily criminal bent on plunging them into a world of deepening madness.

Filled with steamy atmosphere, stunning reversals, and hairpin twists and turns, and certain to be another sensational bestseller, Suspicion of Madness is Barbara Parker-one of America's best thriller authors writing today-at the top of her game.


About the Author
Barbara Parker is the author of eight previous bestselling novels, and was a finalist for an Edgar Award for Best First Novel by an American Author.

FROM OUR EDITORS

Gail Connor and Anthony Quintana's getaway to an isolated villa in the Florida Keys sounds romantic, but their perfect vacation fizzles the moment that attorney Anthony encounters a menacing former client. Suddenly, their secluded island becomes their vulnerable fortress. A fast-paced thriller with a nearly dizzying array of quick plot turns.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

For attorneys Gail Connor and Anthony Quintana, spending a couple of days in a private villa on a secluded island in the Florida Keys seems almost too good to be true. The innocent cliche hits home with a vengeance when a dangerously unbalanced former client of Anthony's is suspected of a local murder, and then attempts suicide. As an idyllic vacation turns into an escalating nightmare of terror and death, Gail and Anthony find themselves isolated among strange and secretive islanders as a late tropical storm threatens to unleash its fury on them all. Somehow, they must hang on to their sanity and use every weapon at their disposal to outwit a cunning criminal bent on plunging them into a world of deepening madness.

FROM THE CRITICS

Romantic Times

Suspicion of Madness is riveting, which makes trying to put the pieces together all the more fun. Top-notch suspense!

Publishers Weekly

Miami lawyers Gail Connor and Anthony Quintana head to Key West for a combined romantic vacation and murder investigation in the seventh of Parker's Suspicion series (Suspicion of Vengeance, etc.). As in previous installments, the pressures of the chase test the relationship of the high-powered couple, and Florida's lush landscape adds color to a mystery that makes up in intensity what it lacks in depth. It all begins when wealthy client Martin Greenwald invites Quintana to his resort in the Florida Keys to help his troubled stepson, Billy, who is under suspicion for murder. Certain Billy is innocent, Quintana convinces Connor to join him to share the delights of the island. But they find little time for amusement because as soon as they arrive, they learn Billy has attempted suicide. In quick order, lies and bodies are uncovered, and Connor and Quintana find themselves investigating an aging B-movie starlet, a pair of conniving local lawyers, the client's overextended family and a stuttering handyman who does odd jobs, showing up in the oddest places at the oddest times. The intertwining lives of the characters reflect the Florida culture around them-rich in dreaming, scheming and explosive undercurrents. The surprise ending is no surprise for Hitchcock fans, but former state prosecutor and practicing attorney Parker paces her story well and neatly ties up loose ends. She also heats up the legal intrigue with the fiery romance between Latin lover Quintana and single mom Connor, ensuring that fans-even those who have seen the same movies Parker has-will stay tuned for the next escapade of Miami's tempestuous legal sweethearts. (Feb. 24) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

Billy McFadden's murder defense brings legal duo Gail Connor and Anthony Quintana to Key West, FL, in Parker's seventh "Suspicion of" legal thriller. Billy's alibi that he spent the evening watching old movies with Joan Sinclair, the has-been star of Bride of Nesferatu, is shaky. Gail and Anthony are guests of Billy's stepfather, Walter Greenwald, at his Buttonwood Resort, operated by Walter's sister Lois. The cast of suspects grows and the pressure increases with a tropical storm as Gail escapes from gory escapades. William Dufris and Christine Marshall provide multiple, characteristic voices, improving on programs delivered by lone readers. Highly recommended for all general collections. Sandy Glover, Camas P.L., WA Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews