False Fortune: A Pinnacle Peak Mystery

Twist Phelan
Poisoned Pen Press (2007)
ISBN 9781590583630
Reviewed by Narissa Johnson for Reader Views (6/07)


Twist Phelan's heroine, Hannah Dain, is unwittingly embarking on a life-changing week.  “False Fortune” begins as Hannah joins her sister Shelby to collect information for what appears to be a simple case their family's law firm has taken.  Little could the women know the effects of an accident and the subsequent rescue on their case or their lives.   

“False Fortune” introduces Hannah to a mystery which starts out with a car accident, a newfound half-sister, a strained relationship with another sister, a new friend who has a secret of his own, and a case between the government and the local Indian reservation which is not all it seems to be!  These different pieces of the story all fall into place with a tale about the connection between an accident that may have been an attempted suicide and a case pitting members of the Tohono O'odham tribe against the Department of Defense. 

A hunt for treasure and new sister, who quickly integrates herself into Hannah's life, brings new friends, foes and adventure as she navigates the twists and turns within the case she has accidentally been assigned as lead counsel. And as Hannah begins to explore, it becomes clear that what seems to be an open and shut case of toxic waste contamination on the reservation is not necessarily so.

“False Fortune” works – mostly because you like Hannah – how could you not?  She is smart, a good person, honest, and emotional.  But she is like most heroines – too clearly the heroine.  There are no flaws; there is nothing that suggests that she is human. In reading the quick ‘about the author,’ it is clear that the character Hannah is modeled after how the author sees herself.  Unfortunately this results in a story that, while it works (all the pieces fall into place and are explained), it doesn't make it anything more than a light read.  If that is what you are looking for, then this book is for you.  If you want a story that makes you think, or rush to recommend it to your friends, skip this book.

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