THE REAL ENEMY by KATHY HERMAN

THE REAL ENEMY by KATHY HERMAN is the first novel in the SOPHIE TRACE TRILOGY, and is not only an exciting thriller, but it is a very touching story of a family in crisis. The Christian message is really good and I like the way the author deals with the characters' emotions - they are very real people with very real struggles.
Brill and Kurt Jessup have moved to Sophie Trace from Memphis with their nine year old daughter Emily. Brill is police chief and is hardly ever at home, but there is more to their problems than Kurt being practically a single parent and Emily missing her mother. Eighteen months before their move Kurt confessed a one night stand with the prom queen who he had had a crush on at school. In spite of Kurt's abject remorse, Brill makes it clear that she is prepared to stay married in name only and will never forgive him. Kurt is devastated, especially as their farce of a marriage is upsetting their children, particularly Emily, and is determined to overcome Brill's bitterness towards him by loving her and being good to her. He takes his commitment to the Lord and to their family very seriously and is determined to "overcome evil with good."
Brill finds it impossible to deal with her relationship with her husband and the effect her unforgiveness is having on her children, at the same time as trying to solve the kidnappings, murder and gang problems that are causing havoc in the small town. To cap it all, there is also the legend of the red shadows that some people are convinced are causing people to disappear.
This is an excellent read with a really good plot. We are made to think about the fact that our attitudes, particularly when we harbour unforgiveness and bitterness, can affect others as well as ourselves. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can highly recommend it.
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