Review: Spent Identity by Marlene M. Bell

Mystery and murder vie with a decades-old secret in Spent Identity by Marlene M. Bell, the second book in the Annalisse series, following the riveting Stolen Obsession.

Mired by pressures at work and worried about her stalling relationship with her tycoon boyfriend, Alec Zavos, antiquities expert Annalisse Drury heads for the comfort of her Aunt Kate’s farm in upstate New York. Shortly after arriving at her childhood home, she learns from her aunt that her cousin, Jeremy, wants to sell her aunt’s beloved farm – news that is quickly trumped by the discovery of a decomposing body in the barn by her farmhand.

Unable to stay at the farm during the ongoing police investigation, Annalisse and Kate go to Alec’s estate near the Catskill Mountains, but shortly after arriving there Kate disappears, and the ensuing search by Annalisse and Alec point to Kate having been abducted from the estate. Annalisse is convinced that Kate’s son is responsible for his mother’s disappearance and is determined to do everything in her power to find her aunt and save her childhood home from being sold. The last thing she needs right now is a back-handed marriage proposal by Alec…

Ambitiously written, Spent Identity has lots of action, a solid narrative, and engaging dialogue that give it substance, while the theme of betrayal cuts a wide swath. Enhanced with a cast of well-balanced and wide-ranging characters, Spent Identity acts as more than a run of the mill mystery, with engaging and relatable family relationships woven into the main storyline, especially the close relationship between Annalisse and her beloved aunt, which give the story its heart.

The relationship between Annalisse and Alec alternates between irresistible sexual tension and touching vulnerability, as more of their complicated pasts are revealed, heightening the intricacies of the plot. That said, Alec’s jealously towards Kate’s farmhand, Ethan, lacks credibility and comes across as petty, especially for a man of Alec’s stature and position, but this does not affect the narrative tension.

Like its predecessor, this book has several moving parts that are appendages to the two main plot lines, and Bell does a good job juggling the different threads and tying up most of the loose ends at the end of the book. There are certain times throughout the book where the narrative verges on becoming convoluted, but then Bell reigns it in and brings the story back on track.

There are also many references to names and events from the first book which do require some explanation, but tend to overwhelm the narrative at times, especially if you’ve read the first installment. Certain moments read as if Bell was intent on making the novel a standalone, and this backstory isn’t always seamlessly woven into the new installment, and could even be pared down for new readers.

While the story could use a solid edit to tighten a few plot points and correct some typographical errors, these do not take away from the enjoyment of the story on the whole. Suspenseful and well-crafted, Spent Identity is a consistently entertaining read, and a solid addition to the Annalisse series.