When the monster hurricane Bernardine hit the Gulf Coast town of Belle Ville, it devastated part of the town but also devastated many of its citizens. The aftermath of the storm uncovered evidence that exonerated "Pirate" Alvin Mack DuPree who had been incarcerated for 20 years for the murder of young scientist Johnny Blanton.

Nell Jarreau had witnessed Johnny's murder and had identified DuPree as the murderer.  Nell is now assistant curator of the Museum of History and Art, married to Clay, now chief of police and the detective who caught DuPree. She's also mother to Norah, who is troubled by her father's murderer not being found.

Nell is haunted by doubts and fears about her identification.  She begins to harbor suspicions about Clay's role in the arrest and his friendship with Duke and Kirk Bartien who had constructed the levies which failed during the hurricane.  She is bolstered in her suspicions by Lee Ann Bonner, reporter for the local paper, who is probing the cold case.  When Lee Ann is murdered, Nell becomes more suspicious and must uncover the truth for her own sanity and hope to save her marriage.

Delusion is a suspenseful novel full of twists.  There are elements of racial and economic injustices.  The characters are well developed and fascinating in their deviousness, especially DuPree, who is a dangerous man.  The dilemma of Nell facing the possible truth about her husband and the problems of her daughter is thoroughly resolved.  This is a page turner which will keep the reader in question about the real culprit in the tragedy.

A must read