Suspicion of Madness

Gail Connor and Anthony Quintana #7

by Barbara Parker

Gail and Anthony's quiet getaway in the Florida Keys is interrupted when a former client is implicated in a local murder and subsequently attempts suicide during a tropical storm. By the author of Suspicion of Vengeance. 75,000 first printing.

Genres: Mystery, Suspense, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Thriller, Romance, Legal Thriller

368 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Barbara Parker was an American mystery writer. She wrote 12 novels, the first of which, Suspicion of Innocence, was a finalist for the Edgar Allan Poe Award for best first mystery novel by an American author. Parker was on the national board of the Mystery Writers of America and was the chair of its membership committee for two years.

Librarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This 7th book in Ms. Parker's 'Gail Conner and Anthony Quintana' mystery series is somewhat of a disappointment. I thoroughly enjoyed the preceding books but this one I could not get into. Was Anthony always this annoying? Was Gail always this accommodating with him? Anthony was arrogant, condescending and petty. And Gail just put up with it.

Anyway, the story and mystery are just ok. The book is confusing at times and the ending does not really clear up everything. Sadly, because of the author's death in 2009, there is only one more book in this series which I will read at some point. I hope in that book both of the main characters get their acts together. Recommended only if the reader has read the preceding books.

[Bill Thibadeau · Rating 2 out of 5]

We have all heard "If I only had a nickel for every ....". In this book, I wish I had a nickel for every adjective I read. The thin plot of this book was mired down in the weeds of needless prose. To further drag this book down was a bunch of uninteresting characters. I couldn't have cared less for any of them.
This was my first, and last, Barbara Parker book.

[✨ Gramy ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gail Connors and Anthony Quintana think they are going to get to spend part of their weekend at a beautiful inn located in Key West alone together getting reacquainted after a break-up. There is tension and intrique as the story unfolds with murder, mystery, and a twist ending. They mystery part is interesting, but the romantic roller coaster gets boring after so many books.

[Chana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good mystery, even the second time around. For whatever reason I had completely forgotten all the salient points of this book including the shocker ending. The basis of the mystery is not a new idea (are there any new ideas?) but it is presented well.

[Andrea Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t have it figured out until the end

[Richard Guerrero · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be honest, I did not complete this book this time around. I did read this entire series many years ago. I really did not care for the story too much and I just could not complete it.

[Mary Cushnie-Mansour · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suspicion of Madness by Barbara Parker is an engaging mystery with a love story entwined within its pages. Gail Connor and Anthony Quintana are both lawyers, and despite some past difficulties with their relationship, they both seem determined to move forward - possibly even to marriage.

Anthony asks Gail to accompany him to a private villa in the Florida Keys. The resort is owned by a former client of Anthony. Gail agrees, but says she must return home by the weekend because she has made some promises to her daughter.

However, the quiet, romantic weekend Anthony had planned for Gail turns out to be anything but quiet and romantic. A tropical storm is brewing, but that is not the only storm on the horizon! Someone is murdered! And, the main suspect is the young man Anthony defended and got off on his last visit. All the clues point to the young man, Billy, who is the son of the wife of the owner of the villa. Billy has a history of unstable behavior, but would he go so far to murder someone?

Anthony finally asks Gail to help him out with the investigation. Their plans for a quiet little wedding ceremony at the resort are temporarily thwarted by the murder case. Together, they become immersed in the details of the history of the families in the Keys, and ultimately the killer is finally revealed. Someone the reader would not suspect.

Suspicion of Madness is an entertaining read for those who love to curl up with a good mystery. Enjoy.

[Hyrum · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up at the local library which had a limited audio book collection. I haven't read a mystery for a while so I am not sure how this compares to other mystery books. Most of the book consisted of gathering information by the two main characters, kind of boring, but again, this might be normal for a mystery. The two lawyers only seemed to talk and talk and talk while not doing much. The last fourth of the book picked up the pace and had a satisfying ending.
I would not read another book from this author and maybe not another mystery either. While listening, I sensed that the writer has a secret desire to write romance novels.

[L · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the solid mystery I'd hoped for, definitely a good read with some unexpected twists. The problem I have with this book, as others in this series, is the boyfriend. Parker has this terrific, smart woman who solves mysteries, who is hung up on an arrogant, controlling man whose only attractions seem to be in the bedroom. Of course, she's also afraid to tell her daughter she's going to marry the guy, so maybe there is an inner logic to all of this. Read it for the mystery, not the romance.

[Derrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good book. The story kept me engaged throughout the entire thing. It was an easy read without a whole lot of words I didn't understand or had to look up. That made me happy. The ending and the twist at the ending was mind-boggling. It makes you want to re-read the book to see if it still makes sense. To see if everything lines up where things were even possible. I have chosen not too. I don't want to know if things actually would make sense. Good book that I would highly recommend.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good new mystery series for me I tried out. It has a hint of romance and lots of drama, action and suspense. A good back drop in the Florida Keys sets the mood with lots of good action and good mystery to balance it out. I recommend it.

[J. Ewbank · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story. I could not imagine the finish of the book and that is good. The plot and story was ineresting. I would happily read other books by this author.

J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"

[Tex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn't read this author before and since she writes about my new home area, I will definitely pick her up again. (Just happened to drive down to the Keys through the area in this book as I was finishing it.)

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is The first book of hers i have read . The storyline kept me reading it in one day but the people were not interesting at all except the killer . The end when they were all at the house was very confusing and illogical .

[Lori · Rating 1 out of 5]

Umm ... I didn't finish this one, so I'm going to assume that means it wasn't very good.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never would have guessed the ending. I thought it was him, but not like that. It was a little hard to get into and there wasn't that drive to hurry and finish.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspicion of Madness by Barbara Parker (2003)

[Barbara Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fair to Middling! I liked the ending, and the mystery was okay, but I wasn't crazy about the main characters which I assume appear in all the "Suspicion of" books.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from Barbara Parker.........did not see the end coming in this one.

[Catharine · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story wasn't awful, but the dialog and characters came across as wooden to my ear.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved her books and hoped to find something new she had written.

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #6 read in 2009

This is one of my favorite books of the series so far. I loved the twists and turns in the plot. I can't wait to read the next.

[Elly Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lousy audio production; might be better read. Still, I don't think it's solid.

[Ray Dan Parker]

I love Barbara Parker's characters and fast-paced action. She immerses the reader in a story that changes as quickly as the South Florida weather.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good book

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not crazy about the boyfriend, but pretty good mystery with a surprise ending.

[Stefanie Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like a good mystery this will fill a weekend of reading. Totally enjoyable read. I miss the Keys of Florida...may have to plan a trip!