The Penance Stone

 
The Penance Stone, Suza Kates Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews Genre: Romantic Suspense. This is a bit outside my usual genre, but I love books set in the Far East, the blend of cultures and the glimpse into different traditions, and was intrigued by the suspense element so I wanted to read it.
 
Harper was a likable person, escaping into her own head most of the while, isolating herself to be safe from the fears that beset her after a horrific personal tragedy. Then she meets Reid, her assistant while she’s in Japan, who lives close. He’s studying the people and the culture for his dissertation and he’s drawn to her right from the start. It takes a while though before he can get through her defences enough to even talk to her without feeling he’s scaring her. She was expecting a female assistant and seeing Reid throws her. Gradually though her defences come down and wham – once they do its easy to feel the attraction between them. I liked Reid, he’s a genuinely kind man, who would have helped Harper even if he wasn’t attracted. One of those True Gentlemen, and being gorgeous doesn’t do him harm either! He’s so curious about Harper, about what she’s scared of, but it takes a long while before she trusts him enough to tell him.
 
 Before that there are so many things they go through, so many snippets of mystery that stir her curiosity. Reid urges her to make more friends, to get out more but somehow once she does she seems to be a magnet for danger. Who is painting Kanji symbols, who is Emi and why is she so full of fear? What’s the mystery the priests are hiding and why does no one speak about them or the temple? For a scared woman Harper doesn’t hesitate to step into danger, and it seems when most people would turn and run away Harper just takes another step forward! Reid gets really frustrated and scared for her, I was too, mentally shouting “no, don't go there, don't do that!” He wants to protect her but from what? How can he when she keeps getting into dangerous situations? Its part of her personality though, part of her historical problems that mean she’s unable to walk away without being sure Emi is safe and no-one will harm her. It takes her into a really heart stopping danger ( hers and mine!) though, a situation that almost claims her life. Wow – the suspense in this is powerful – I had no idea who or what was behind it and what happened took me greatly by surprise. No quick whack on the head then a rescue here – its very drawn out, very slowly built up tension that had me racing through the pages to see what happened...and then just when I though they were safe its danger all over again. the psychology aspect too is interesting, why Harper past affected her actions in the present, and also the culture of secrecy, how old traditions could still be kept through fear. Stars: Five, a real rollercoaster read. Having read it though now, I don’t think its one I’d re read but its an excellent suspense with a side of romance thrown in.
ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers

I requested this story because I LOVE Suza Kates. I will admit, I wasn't sure about this story at the start. I didn't care for the characters, but about 1/3 of the way in, I just got sucked and emerged several hours later. Wow, once the story got going, it was great!

Writer Harper Gray arrives in Japan without knowing any Japanese, but intending to keep to herself and just write. She hires Reid Ellis to keep be her assistant. Reid, an PhD student writing his dissertation can't help but be attracted to Harper and fear lingering in her eyes. Throw in a mysterious mute girl and a sassy new friend and you've got a great mystery.