My review of Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze.

About the book:

THEIR ELUSIVE ENEMIES TOOK EVERYTHING. NOW THEY WANT MORE.

Crossroads Crisis Center owner Benjamin Brandt was a content man—in his faith, his work, and his family. Then in a flash, everything he loved was snatched away. His wife and son were murdered, and grief-stricken Ben lost faith. Determination to find their killers keeps him going, but after three years of dead ends and torment, his hope is dying too. Why had he survived? He’d failed to protect his family.

Now, a mysterious woman appears at Crossroads seeking answers and help—a victim who eerily resembles Ben’s deceased wife, Susan. A woman robbed of her identity, her life, of everything except her faith—and Susan’s necklace.

The connections between the two women mount, exceeding coincidence, and to keep the truth hidden, someone is willing to kill. Finding out who and why turns Ben and the mystery woman’s situation from dangerous to deadly. Their only hope for survival is to work together, trust each other, and face whatever they discover head on, no matter how painful. But will that be enough to save their lives and heal their tattered hearts?

My review:

This story was pretty good, but a bit complicated. I liked that it was fast paced and that the characters had scars and needed emotional healing. I also liked being in the thugs' heads every now and then to see what their diabolical minds were plotting. It's just like evil to double cross itself, so watching the "best laid plans" fall apart was gratifying. I enjoyed the mystery of discovering who "Susan" was a little bit at a time as she discovered things about herself.

There were a few murders that happened while you were in the victim's heads (while they were being killed) but nothing over-the-top creepy or disgusting like I've read in other books. I liked the spiritual thread even though it seemed a bit heavy-handed at times. I appreciated the author's attempt to make that part work in the story but sometimes those things distract from it as well.

The plot was complex and well-developed and the characters were pretty distinct. I enjoyed getting to know them all. I especially loved the romance element and the tension developing between the two main characters. It was sweet and touching, and I loved it when they finally succumbed and kissed each other. Their dialog was honest and gripping, too, as they worked through their trust issues. That was very gratifying. I read this book after winning it from Multnomah and plan to discuss it when the ACFW bookclub starts their discussion this month.