BLOOD WOUNDS by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Willa's family consists of her mother, her step-father, and two step-sisters.  They are a close knit group.  Even though everyone is busy with tennis, dressage lessons and competitions, school, work, and college classes, they manage to have dinner together every Wednesday night.  Willa's mother even seems to have a reasonably friendly relationship with her husband's ex-wife; all for the sake of the children, of course.

Willa remembers little about her early years living in Texas with her mother and her biological father.  She doesn't know much, but she knows life wasn't great, and her mother decided it was best for them to leave and find a life without her abusive father.

When an old family friend calls to warn them Willa's father has killed his current wife and two of their three little girls, more family secrets are revealed.  Since her murderous father is on the road and headed in their direction, Willa and her mother could be next.

Author Susan Beth Pfeffer has created a real page-turner.  She illustrates the complex relationships that make up some families.  Just when you think you have the complete picture, something else pops up to complicate life for Willa.  BLOOD WOUNDS is filled with unspoken feelings, untold stories, and little known family history.  I know this one won't spend much time on the shelf.