Return to Chipping Sodbury — Phyllis Martin

Those who knew Haven well expected her to marry her childhood sweetheart, Brett. But Brett has disappeared, accused of murdering Connor, his best friend. Now Haven stands at the alter with Vance, who was a close friend of both Connor and Brett.

Their wedding is interupted by Maria, a Mexican beauty who claims to be Vance's wife. Haven, confused and distraught, flees to Italy with her aunt and guardian, Emily. Can she believe Vance's declaration of love for her and his denial of marriage to Maria? Is her lingering love for Brett really over? But where is Brett?

Haven's emotional turmoil becomes physical when she is stalked, abducted, and threatened with mutilation as she and Emily seek sanctuary in the small English village of Chipping Sodbury.

The missing Brett seeks solace in the Big Bend National Park of south Texas but finds unexpected danger as he moves farther south into Mexico.

While others travel the world, criminologist Bruce "Smart Max" Maxwell teams up with the local police and prosecuter. Together they unravel the snarled tangles of greed and lies that have led to two murders.

The story reaches its climax in a bone-chilling encounter in a fog-shrouded English church yard.