South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Crisis expert faces down lies in suspenseful ‘One Wrong Word’
Book titles often seem like placeholders. But the titles of best-selling author Hank Phillippi Ryan’s novels set the tone of her plots, even give insight to her characters.
“One Wrong Word” delivers a close look on how a stray word, a bit of gossip, can be detrimental. Ryan takes the often-used phrase “words have power” to a different dimension in her 15th novel, with savvy plotting and characters that avoid cliches.
“One Wrong Word” revolves around Boston public relations expert Arden Ward, who specializes in crisis management. Her ability to help clients maneuver through some of the worst moments of their lives and keep their reputation unmarred has made her one of the most sought-after employees of the Vision Group firm.
Then the wife of one of the firm’s nastiest clients suggests Arden is having an affair with her husband, known to be a sexual predator. The wife demands Arden be fired. Arden is appalled at the accusation, then astonished when the company’s CEO, Warren Carmichael, takes the wife’s side. He’d rather keep the wealthy client, rationalizing that if the rumors became public it would harm the company’s and Arden’s reputation.
Arden has built a career battling “lies and secrets, the most powerful forces in the universe. Indelible. Contagious. Lethal.” Now Arden and her career have been “guillotined” by a lie.
Warren gives Arden two weeks to announce she is resigning. As a consolation, he gives her another high-profile assignment — restore the reputation and social standing of Ned and Cordelia Bannister. Ned, a Boston real estate mogul, recently was acquitted of a drunk driving homicide. But the couple are now pariahs in their wealthy circle. Cordelia’s so-called friends snub her. To help the Bannisters, Arden finds the investigation into the accident ignored crucial evidence.
Ryan keeps the suspense high as Arden deals with the Bannisters, Warren, colleagues, the police and district attorney’s office, finding that motives often hide in plain sight. Arden is a solid character who, during the course of “One Wrong Word,” re-evaluates the importance of her career and how work defines her. Her public relations acumen translates well into investigations.
As an author, Ryan has earned many writing awards. As an investigative reporter for a Boston’s WHDH-TV, she has earned 37 Emmys, among other journalism awards. For her readers, each novel is a winner as is “One Wrong Word.”
MEET THE AUTHOR
Hank Phillippi Ryan will discuss “One Wrong Word” at 11 a.m. Feb. 10 at the Lantana Road Branch Library, 4020 Lantana Road, Lake Worth, 561-304-4500 as part of the annual Writers LIVE! program. Registration is free but required. Visit pbclibrary.
bibliocommons.com/v2/ events to register. Ryan also will be in conversation with author Dwyer Murphy at 7 p.m. Feb. 10 at Books & Books, 265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables, 305-4424408. Visit booksandbooks. com/events/list for more information or to register.