A review by tessisreading2
Emerald by Phyllis A. Whitney

3.0

This was more of a mystery novel than a romantic suspense novel; compelling and fast-moving for what it was, with some good twists and turns. On the one hand I appreciated the way Carol's ex-husband is portrayed as a stereotypical alpha male hero (self-made, compelling, sharp-witted) whose macho posturing and controlling nature quickly turns into abuse; on the other hand, he's portrayed as a self-made, dark-haired man whose name was originally "middle European" (changed to something Anglo-Saxon to get in good with all the WASPs) with curly hair and a "full, sensual mouth" - honestly to me that's coded obliquely Jewish and it's discomfiting that he's the villain of the piece.