All She Ever Wanted by Barbara Freethy

From Barnes & Noble

The Barnes & Noble Review
The power of secrets, hidden and revealed, drives the plot of this fast-paced romantic thriller by bestselling author Barbara Freethy. Here three young women, each traumatized by the accidental death of their best friend ten years ago in college, are startled to read the story of the death in a bestselling novel -- and the anonymous author thinks one of them committed the murder. Natalie Bishop, now a medical resident in San Francisco, reunites with her sorority sisters, Laura and Madison, to investigate the past and clear their names -- only to find out Emily's life was nowhere as carefree and innocent as they thought. Natalie gains an unlikely ally in her investigation -- Emily's brother, Cole -- but the closer they come to discovering the truth, the more their old attraction heats up and the greater danger they both face. Ginger Curwen

From the Publisher

Hailed for creating a "fabulous, page-turning combination of romance and intrigue" (Kristin Hannah), bestselling author Barbara Freethy presents a suspenseful, emotional new story of sisterhood, secrets, and lies-a story of women who must unravel the truth about a long-ago tragedy, and in the process discover the truth about themselves.

Publishers Weekly

During a college party gone awry, vibrant but physically fragile Emily Parish, ringleader and emotional pivot of a group of female friends self-christened the Fabulous Four, falls to her death from their sorority house roof. Traumatized, the remaining three go their separate ways and lead outwardly successful yet personally problematic lives. Then 10 years later, a mysterious, pseudonymous author publishes a bestselling novel packed with intimate details about the thinly disguised Fab Four-and accusing one of them, Dr. Natalie Bishop, whose own memories of the tragic night are a blank, of murdering Emily. As Natalie delves into the past to save her reputation and career, she not only rediscovers her old gang (including Emily's brother Cole, an ex-boyfriend who'd always blamed Natalie for his sister's death) but, gradually, disquietingly, realizes that all had motives for murder. Unfortunately, the real killer's character gets short shrift, making the book less than compelling as a mystery. Still, Rita Award-winner Freethy (Summer Secrets, etc.) succeeds in developing a suitably eerie atmosphere that doesn't eclipse the story's main focus on the renewal of fabulous friendships and romances. Agent, Andrea Cirillo. (Dec. 7) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Product Details

• Interviews & Essays

Interviews & Essays

Heart to Heart: In All She Ever Wanted, three friends are reunited to uncover a mystery that happened when they were sorority sisters in college. Where did you get the idea for the plot?

Barbara Freethy: It started when I asked myself the question -- what if a personal tragedy became the plot of a bestselling novel? Three women believe that their friend's death in college was an accident. Ten years later, they are confronted by the possibility that one of them committed murder. The accused woman, Natalie, must now fight to prove her innocence. In doing so, she must battle not only the lies in a bestselling novel but also her unresolved feelings toward the hero and their former relationship, which ended with the death of the woman who was her friend and his sister. The other two women, Laura and Madison, also find their lives and their reputations on the line. As with so many of my books, the initial story idea was a very small seed that eventually blossomed into a rich, detailed story with lots of characters and complicated relationships.

HtoH: Were you in a sorority in college, and if so, what was your experience like?

BF: I was in a sorority, and I made some wonderful friends there. When we get together now, we fall back easily into our relationships, even if we haven't seen each other in a few years. There is something very special about the friendships formed in college, a time in life when everything seems possible. In All She Ever Wanted, I had an opportunity to explore the boundaries and depth of friendship as well as love, which was really fun.

HtoH: What is it about the power of secrets that often drives your plots?

BF: Everyone has secrets, and they usually come out at the worst possible time. When I was a child we used to build houses with playing cards. With each new card placed on the fragile structure, there was the chance of knocking down the whole house. That's what happens with secrets and lies. You pile enough on top and everything comes crashing down. I love to explore what happens to the people whose lives are completely changed by the revelation of those secrets.

HtoH: Your books are known for their fast pace. How do you keep the momentum going? And how do you juggle the elements of romance and suspense?

BF: I love to add twists and turns throughout the book. When I'm writing, I try to envision each character as the villain, just to make sure I don't give away the resolution too early. Sometimes I'm surprised by characters who take me in a different direction. As for juggling the romance and the suspense, I try to make sure that the two elements are so intertwined that what affects the romance also affects the suspense and what affects the plot also impacts the love story.

HtoH: Since your book is about secrets, tell us one of yours…

BF: I don't always know the ending when I start writing. Shhh, don't tell anyone. For me the joy of writing comes out of telling myself the story. While I know the key plot points, not knowing every details keeps the process exciting and interesting. I hope that excitement translates to the readers when they get to experience the story in its final form.