When a California family is torn apart through tragedy in 1979, a young girl spends decades trying to piece together the events of that fateful night and find her baby sister.

Thirty years ago, six-year-old Vicky Robeson lost her parents in a forest fire in California and became separated from her sister, Julie. In 2009, Vicky is now the news director at a local Dallas TV station and has spent the better part of her life trying to learn Julie’s fate. Using her natural tendency to tease out the truth in all news-worthy situations, Vicky heads to California to follow more leads. Will this trip finally bring the familial reunion Vicky so desperately craves? Or will this trip send her and her ex-boyfriend, Pete, into the proverbial lion’s den?

Parallel Peril is a fast-paced mystery that quickly escalates into a suspense/thriller, with enough dark elements to keep readers engaged and outraged. As Vicky meets up with Pete in California and as their romance starts to rekindle, she dives into old journals for clues about the people affected by that long-ago fire, including her sister. Unknowingly, Vicky kicks a toxic hornet’s nest in the form of a corrupt commune with unspeakable secrets, propelling the story into overdrive. 

With a heavy dose of dramatic irony, readers can only watch and wait as the protagonist edges closer to what they already know. The author, however, expertly parcels out enough information for readers to ponder, only revealing the entire dangerous truth during an amazingly explosive scene involving gunfire, kidnapping, emergency childbirth, a ferocious dog, and murder. 

As a protagonist, Vicky is more than likable and relatable, albeit a bit infuriating at times. Her natural tenacity and often off-putting interrogation skills are balanced with her love of family and the need to expose the truth, at all costs. As her character arcs across the chapters, Vicky learns just how far she will go to find her sister, save herself, and make a second chance at romance work. This woman’s growth is both redeeming and inspiring.

An interesting development in Parallel Peril is the commune that started out years ago with good intentions and good results but eventually devolved into a worst-case scenario for all involved. The author expertly builds this shadowy foundation and backdrop to the overall plot, providing readers with more than enough emotional investment in the plights of several characters. 

A looming question here is who or what exactly is the antagonist? While the commune leader is a clear choice and is more than antagonistic, some elements can be perceived as equally contentious, including mistrust, hopelessness, helplessness, and kept secrets that lead to sustained adversity. Parallel Peril is an excellent choice for readers who love a good mystery that has a bit of romance, significant danger, and plenty of daring rescues across the board.

While Parallel Peril by Maria Lynn Barrs is book two in A Vicky Robeson Mystery series, it can stand alone, despite a few references to book one. Reading both books, however, is highly recommended because the author’s writing style, plot development, and characterization are top-level and five-star worthy.