James Ryan had a promising career in baseball but on the night the Red Sox scouts were coming to see him play in a farm league game, his wife, Chelsea, was in a hit-and-run auto accident and died on the way to the hospital. Fortunately, his baby daughter, Ainsley, was not injured. On the third anniversary of Chelsea's death, flowers are left on Chelsea's grave with a note saying ... "It was no accident."

Emma Carlisle, trial attorney in the Criminal Division of the Rhode Island Office of Attorney General, was assigned Chelsea's case, and she has kept it open even though she hasn't got a suspect or a clue to work with. On the anniversary of Chelsea's accident she finds a newspaper clipping on her car's windshield about the fatality and a note saying ... "I know who did it."

INTENT TO KILL is one of those rare "WOW" books. The characters are tightly defined; the mystery is just that -- a very good mystery that will knock your socks off -- along with a soupcon of romance, and a smooth and mesmerizing narrative. Chelsea's younger brother, Babes, is autistic and loves analogs; as a matter of fact he makes analogs out of people's names and refers to them in that code. Babes is a fascinating character, as are all the personalities in this outstanding suspense, including attorney Jack Swytek, who has a cameo role in this tale.

This reviewer hangs her head in shame and admits this was her first book by James Grippando, but is seeking redemption by finding his back list and enjoying them tremendously.