Just Say the Word by Carla Salvo

Rita Napapolus' fingerprints were all over the murder weapon, beckoning authorities onto her path and into her past. They immediately hit a wall when they find no record of the petite office manager's history before she appeared in Seattle with her daughter twenty years ago.

When a million dollar bail is mysteriously posted and a hot-shot defense lawyer arrives from San Francisco, her friends want answers. So does the FBI.

Where did Rita come from? Who is watching out for her? Could she really be the killer?

Good Reads Summary

This novel makes for an interesting read.  The characters are not always as they appear, the details in the murder make the reader thing and realize that not even that is infallible, etc...  Rita is not a character that the reader will automatically hate, not even after reading several chapters will the reader alter his/her opinion-making for an intriguing novel when it is Rita who is the main suspect in a murder. 

Rita's past is not disclosed to the reader, but there are glimpses and hints.  Rita herself appears a fine woman, not too odd or malicious in any way.  However, evidence can't be wrong?  Or can it?  The reader will enjoy getting to know the secondary characters, some who support Rita, some who are confused, and some who don't seem to like her much at all.  They are all interesting characters with differing qualities.  The plot is not necessarily unique, but the reader will be interested all the same.  The dialogue leads the reader to believe that the author did her research, the tone is perfect for the novel and she has the different ethnicities (how they may have spoken) down very well. 

The novel is very eventful, leading from one scene to another quickly.  The reader will almost feel rushed, as would be the case in a real murder.  The ending is dead on for the novel.  This book is recommended for adults who enjoy murder mysteries. 

4 Stars