Till Death Do Us Part by Tori Hartman

A Kansas State Reading Circle Choice, 1998-1999

Cara Cosgrow is 17, beautiful, independent, and possesses a magnetic personality. She is also the state pistol shooting champion, a mulatto, and the next target of the thug who has just murdered her best friend.

Upset from her visit with her father in the state prison, Cara is speeding home and stopped by the police. Along with the policeman, she meets Gregg, home from school on summer holiday and as part of his training to be a lawyer has been assigned to learn patrol car activities. Gregg’s parents have chosen socialite Jenny Parker, the senator’s daughter, to be Gregg’s wife. But, as the action unfolds, he finds himself unable to stay away from Cara —despite the growing risk to himself and his parents.

Against a setting of high voltage danger and class consciousness, Cara and Gregg grow together despite family and social constraints. Cara works for her mother in the catering business to earn money for her college fund. Mother’s business is dependent upon the main-line society scene.

Gregg learns that Cara holds dear the very things that he is supposed to stand for but doesn’t. She exhibits compassion, patience and honesty. Her fierce determination to find her friend’s murderer sets an example for him.

Ultimately, Cara must choose whether or not to use her shooting skill to kill a human being, the murderer who has now trapped both Cara and Gregg and has already wounded Gregg.

Tori Hartman is a resident of California and known by young adults for her book of savvy fashion insight and flair.