Book #33 A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick. This is a book about deception and love. Just when I thought I had figured out Catherine, the mail-order wife, coming on the train to cold, gloomy Wisconsin, I was totally wrong. The only person who seemed honest was Ralph Truitt, the rich husband. The story takes place in northern Wisconsin and Chicago. The characters are locked in their tragic roles and past with seemingly no way out. She wants love and money and plans to kill to get it when she answers the mail-order bride ad. He wants his son and forgiveness and wants her to bring him back. Add in Antonio, the long lost son, Alice the lost sister, and the world around with desperation and despair. The story is dark with emotional and physical pain, passion, and sexual obsessions.

I read and read wondering how it would end. Could the people break from their lies and find the love they so craved? Would all of the lives be wasted? Daphine Merkin, back cover reviewer, said, " Begin reading this novel at your peril, for it will keep you staining to know what happens next until you come to the last, redemptive sentence." I agree. It was a very compelling story.