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Review by Arlene Germain
The Gift by Verda Foster

Verda Foster’s The Gift is a romantic mystery novel with an intriguing premise.  Lindsay Ryan has the gift of precognition, seeing events that will come to pass before they actually occur. This clairvoyant ability has been more of a curse for Lindsay than a blessing, and she has made every effort to keep it a secret. After an unfortunate incident with her father, Lindsay relocates to start a new life.  However, not long after arriving, Lindsay has a strong premonition of danger which involves a child.  Lindsay reluctantly comes forth with her startling revelation only to be perceived as the child’s stalker by Rachel Todd, a no-nonsense and emotionally wounded police detective. These two women take an instant dislike to one another which makes the investigation into a possible kidnapping and murder even more difficult to conduct. Both Lindsay and Rachel have painful pasts they wish were different, but now they must find a way to overcome their legacy of loss and find a way to trust each other...and Lindsay’s gift.

Foster has an uncomplicated and forthright writing style which enables the reader to visualize both the main characters and the evolving events with little difficulty. The two women are sharply and concisely drawn, and in a thoroughly concrete manner, each is developed into an appealing personality.  The initial reaction to meeting each other shows Rachel with her preconceived assessment and Lindsay with her frustrated reaction. Rachel has indeed had to deal with far too many crackpots, while Lindsay fully recognizes that familiar skepticism to which she is so often subjected. As the storyline develops, the reader can see the subtle changes occurring in both Lindsay and Rachel.

The narrative is nicely balanced with the dialogue, and the dialogue rings true. When Rachel’s mother refers to Lindsay’s gift of sight, Lindsay responds, “More like the curse of sight. It’s not a gift if you don’t understand what you’re seeing” (p. 62).  Those two sentences could also serve as the thematic focal point for the story. Sometimes it is just as difficult to understand what is standing before you. There are instances when you have to relinquish any pre-determined conceptions and explore the possibilities of there being alternate paths to achieving the same goal.

Foster presents a series of problematic situations that fully involve the reader.  As the various discoveries are made about the characters, the mystery elements, and the eventual conclusions, one has the clear sense that all events logically build toward the climax. There are no last minute surprises here that very often can ruin the reality level of a novel. The suspense follows a natural progression that effortlessly carries the reader along from chapter to chapter.

The Gift is a novel that will satisfy those readers who are searching for a refreshingly different mystery premise, those who prefer their romantic elements to progress gradually and convincingly, and those who enjoy a touch of the paranormal. This reader found The Gift to be an overall pleasurable reading experience, but it would have been even more engrossing for this reader had it been a moderately longer novel, one that had further developed and expanded Lindsay’s gift. Perhaps, Foster has in mind a sequel wherein Lindsay and her special talent can assist Rachel in solving another case? That would be indeed be a book worth waiting for.

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