Poor (financially-challenged) Jane – a dog-walker for the rich in Thornfield Estates, a gated community in Birmingham, Alabama – meets Eddie Rochester, newly widowed after his wife, Bea, and her best friend Blanche apparently drowned in a boating accident, though their bodies have not yet been found. When Jane and Eddie begin a relationship, Bea’s presence is a continuing third wheel as objects from her successful business are all around the house, and in the memories and stilted comments of her friends. As Jane and Eddie get closer, she begins to see a side to him that frightens her. And then Blanche’s body is found, and it turns out she didn’t drown – she was murdered!
This is an excellent story – EVERY character has secrets and I did not anticipate the ending.