Rennie Carter has spent most of her life running from her violent past, but then she found the small, sleepy town of Haven Bay – home to her lover Max Tully – and did the one thing she never thought she’d do. She stayed.

Now Max has disappeared and Rennie fears the worst, but her friends in town believe there is a less sinister reason for his absence. Frustrated by their lack of concern, she begins her own investigation, and as she delves deeper into Max’s life she discovers she is not the only one keeping secrets.

Blood Secret is the third novel from New South Wales author Jaye Ford and it is filled with enough innuendo and suspicious characters to keep mystery fans enthralled until the end.

Blood Secret, by Jaye Ford, Bantam, $32.95

The book begins very promisingly with a confrontation which automatically plants suspicions in the reader’s mind. Unfortunately, the pace slows dramatically after Max’s disappearance and Ford takes her time revealing subtle clues about the complicated pasts of both Max and Rennie. In hindsight, this technique is necessary for the development of the characters, but it does mean some chapters seem to pass without any real plot development.

It is worth sticking with the story, though, because when the action happens, it happens fast – and it continues in a non-stop, roller-coaster of revelations and accusations leading up to a final, thrilling confrontation.

Ford’s characters are complex individuals and she does a brilliant job of weaving together their personal histories, adding just enough ambiguities to create a seemingly endless list of suspects and scenarios.

With a well-crafted plot and strong, emotional characters, Blood Secret is a tense mystery which will keep you guessing until the final revelation.