Cousins as close as sisters feature in this remarkable suspense story. Bethanne Hostetler and Candace Evans live very different lives in Kentucky. They endured a dangerous episode in a previous book, and this remains UNFORGOTTEN.
Candace enters a beauty pageant to gain a scholarship towards her last stage of college. She’s delighted to be the winner of Miss Crittenden County. Unknown to anyone she has a stalker, and her raised profile incites that man’s crazed anger.
The two girls’ mothers are sisters born to a Mennonite family. One married a good Amish farmer, and the other married a kind Englisch man, so their daughters grew up best friends but in different worlds. Poor Bethanne still experiences trauma from being held captive previously, and she lost a boyfriend. Jay Raber, who lives nearby, has been hoping Bethanne will come out again and spend time with him, so he’s pleased when she calls at his place of work, a large furniture maker.
Meanwhile, a new arrival in town, Officer Ryan Mulany, is assigned to drive Candace to her beauty queen duties, as suspicions are aroused that someone means her harm. On their first trip together, someone slashes the car tyres while Candace is speaking to the children. The suspense starts to build.
The contrasting lives in a predominantly rural area may be a way of introducing Amish romance to those who normally read contemporary crime stories. Shelley Shepard Gray has written many straight Amish novels, and it could also be she got tired of everything being sweetness and light. The dark side of life happens even among people of faith, and bringing the Englisch influence into the community is a shortcut to present policing, stalkers and more.
Above all, UNFORGOTTEN, a follow-up to Unforgiven, deals with the lasting effects of crime and stress, and the strength of a sisterly bond. The two lovely young ladies care for each other and provide support, advice and physical aid. They don’t intend to let a stalker get the better of them. Jay and Ryan might have something to say about that, again, two young men from completely different backgrounds, working together when it counts. While the tale will work best for those who read the first book, Unforgotten is fine as a standalone.
Even though Bethanne Hostetler has found some peace eight years after an attempted assault and the accidental death of Peter Miller, she is still haunted by the memory. When her Englisher cousin, Candace--who has just been crowned Miss Crittenden County--reveals that she has a stalker, all of Bethanne's old fears come rushing back.
Jay Raber had once been Peter's best friend, and the fact that he did not protect Bethanne that fateful night has haunted him ever since. To make matters worse, she continues to avoid him--even as he continues to love her. Jay can only hope and pray that one day Bethanne will see the person he is today and not the boy he used to be.
As Candace's stalker becomes bolder, Officer Ryan Mulany becomes her escort to various events. He knows he should only think of Candace as a job, but the more time they spend together, the harder it gets to maintain professional distance. And when everyone's worst fears are realized, all four must work together to prevent another tragedy before time runs out and another innocent person is hurt.
From New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray comes this emotionally taut story of learning to forgive, trust, and love despite the pain of the past.
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