Jeffrey S. Stephens’ latest novel, Crimes and Passion, is a suburban whodunit that keeps you guessing ’till the very end. Stephens spins an intricate web of lies and lust, expertly crafting a suspect cast of characters and rapid moving plot that creates a unique atmosphere of suspense.
When Elizabeth Knoebel is found dead in Darien, Connecticut, an affluent town in Fairfield County, Detective Robbie Whyte must dig into her life to figure out who had the means, motive, and opportunity to murder the wife of a prominent New York City surgeon. The case becomes even more intriguing when Whyte discovers a diary on Knoebel’s computer detailing her romantic exploits and erotic affairs, aptly titled Sexual Rites.
At the heart of the story is the therapy practice of psychologist Dr. Randi Conway, the Knoebel’s therapist, who not only sees the couple for marriage counseling but leads both a wives’ and husbands’ group therapy session once a week. This group of couples are intertwined with not only the Knoebel’s social lives, but are also the main players in Sexual Rites, most likely unbeknownst to each other. The plot thickens when Detective Whyte and Dr. Conway begin a push and pull of exchanging information to try and solve the case without breaking the doctor privilege. In a small town with a tightly knit group of people, everyone’s a suspect, and Stephen’s deft dialogue keeps you rapt until the very last page.
