He Will Be My Ruin by K.A. Tucker
Synopsis:
The USA TODAY bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series makes her suspense debut with this sexy, heartpounding story of a young woman determined to find justice after her best friend’s death, a story pulsing with the “intense, hot, emotional” (Colleen Hoover) writing that exhilarates her legions of fans.
A woman who almost had it all . . .
On the surface, Celine Gonzalez had everything a twenty-eight-year-old woman could want: a one-bedroom apartment on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, a job that (mostly) paid the bills, and an acceptance letter to the prestigious Hollingsworth Institute of Art, where she would finally live out her dream of becoming an antiques appraiser for a major auction house. All she had worked so hard to achieve was finally within her reach. So why would she kill herself?
A man who was supposed to be her salvation . . .
Maggie Sparkes arrives in New York City to pack up what’s left of her best friend’s belongings after a suicide that has left everyone stunned. The police have deemed the evidence conclusive: Celine got into bed, downed a lethal cocktail of pills and vodka, and never woke up. But when Maggie discovers a scandalous photograph in a lock box hidden in Celine’s apartment, she begins asking questions. Questions about the man Celine fell in love with. The man she never told anyone about, not even Maggie. The man Celine believed would change her life.
Until he became her ruin.
On the hunt for evidence that will force the police to reopen the case, Maggie uncovers more than she bargained for about Celine’s private life—and inadvertently puts herself on the radar of a killer. A killer who will stop at nothing to keep his crimes undiscovered.
A woman who almost had it all . . .
On the surface, Celine Gonzalez had everything a twenty-eight-year-old woman could want: a one-bedroom apartment on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, a job that (mostly) paid the bills, and an acceptance letter to the prestigious Hollingsworth Institute of Art, where she would finally live out her dream of becoming an antiques appraiser for a major auction house. All she had worked so hard to achieve was finally within her reach. So why would she kill herself?
A man who was supposed to be her salvation . . .
Maggie Sparkes arrives in New York City to pack up what’s left of her best friend’s belongings after a suicide that has left everyone stunned. The police have deemed the evidence conclusive: Celine got into bed, downed a lethal cocktail of pills and vodka, and never woke up. But when Maggie discovers a scandalous photograph in a lock box hidden in Celine’s apartment, she begins asking questions. Questions about the man Celine fell in love with. The man she never told anyone about, not even Maggie. The man Celine believed would change her life.
Until he became her ruin.
On the hunt for evidence that will force the police to reopen the case, Maggie uncovers more than she bargained for about Celine’s private life—and inadvertently puts herself on the radar of a killer. A killer who will stop at nothing to keep his crimes undiscovered.
Review
4.5 out of 5 stars
It's becoming increasingly clear that I am turning into a big fan of suspense novels. I think one of the things I love most is how the authors of these books keep you on your toes, constantly guessing and second guessing every single character until all is revealed. While He Will be My Ruin may be K.A. Tucker's first standalone suspense novel it's written as though this genre is her expertise.
Maggie, our main character, the daughter and heir to Sparkes Energy, grew up with more money than one person can even begin to imagine what to do with. Yet, her parents left her to be raised by a live in nanny whose daughter, Celine, became her very best friend. These two are as close as siblings. Sudden news of Celine's suicide brings Maggie back from one of her non-profits ventures. After paying her respects it's up to her to close out Celine's estate. But once in Celine's old apartment Maggie just cannot shake the feeling that something's off. To begin with Celine isn't the kind of person who would just end her life and even more curious are the things Maggie begins to uncover as she boxes up the apartment.
Throw in a nosey neighbor, a good looking building super who has not only been helpful but who also happens to be a good listener, and a hot governor's son running a successful business with some sort of mystery tie to Celine and you've got yourself an extraordinary suspense novel! I of course had my own theory as to what really happened the night Celine passed and just as soon as I was sure I was correct, bam! K.A. Tucker threw a wrench into the story and things went a direction I didn't even consider.
He Will be My Ruin is a good solid mystery with an unpredictable plot and interesting characters. What I also truly enjoyed about this book was just how believable the story felt. I didn't feel like anything was far fetched or unrealistic. I really liked Maggie, she is strong, determined, ambitious and with a heart of gold. She is confident, she follows her instincts, and doesn't even consider giving up until every lead or possible scenario has been considered and ruled out. This book held my attention from the prologue until the story came full circle. If you love a story which will keep you guessing until the very last page then this is the book for you!
