The Other Side of the Horizon by K. Lynch 
Release date: 2008 / 93 pages
Synopsis (from back cover): Fate brought them to a tranquil paradise. A common criminal threatens to upend it all. Carol Lindsey-Berneau thought the island of Berneau was a safe place to raise her son — a world away from the violent past she left behind on the mainland. Unfortunately, greed knows no boundaries. And when a member of a notorious New York crime family discovers Carol’s unwitting connection to a massive money-laundering scam, he wants in on the action…
First Lines:“Carol awoke to the rhythmic breathing of her husband, Jacques. Today was their first anniversary. Since their marriage, each day had been like a honeymoon. Her past seemed so far behind her — almost like it was another life.”
Review: Last month, I reviewed the first novel in this trilogy and the author, K. Lynch, was kind enough to send me the second and third novels as well. What is so striking about the second novel, The Million Dollar Therapist, is that it is based on the life of an actual woman he knows. “Carol” is forced to make decisions that would distress and repel any woman — and were, initially, hard to fathom and believe. But with the context of real-life, the reader is forced to be compassionate and not discard the character as simply immoral.
Due to her actions, Carol is paid large sums of money that are found to be earned through illegal means (not only through her actions, but through the actions of her “benefactor”). So, the third novel in the trilogy focuses on the “bad guys” trying to exact revenge on Carol through her son.
My original review had expressed a desire for more character development — well, the second novel definitely fulfilled this wish. And the third novel actually balances character development and plot quite well. Like the first two, Revenge is a very fast-paced read.
Unfortunately, what I assume to be the author’s views on attorneys and politics did negatively affect my enjoyment of all three novels — especially the second and third. As the daughter of two attorneys — and as the member of a profession that is similarly berated and blamed for the complex problems of society (public school teacher) — it was hard to stomach sentiments that all attorneys are blood-thirsty mercenaries.
In fact, I thought the author was being ironic — the opinions were so biased and insupportable — especially considering the way Carol had “earned” her money… Obviously, like any profession, some attorneys are unscrupulous — and some teachers are unprofessional– and some doctors are under-qualified. But to state that ALL members of a certain profession are one way or another is, well, ridiculous…
But, if you can get past this bias and maintain a sense of humor, then you may enjoy The Revenge of the Rinellis!
