Let me get this out of the way first: Under the Skin is not a mystery. Oh, it's got a mystery at the heart of it -- more than one. Secrets long hidden begin to unravel in this book when Elizabeth Goodweather's younger sister Gloria comes to Full Circle Farm, on the run from her current husband -- who, she is sure, plans to kill her. It's not easy on Elizabeth, though. She and Glory never got along even as children, diametrically opposite in all things even then. Elizabeth loves the mountains, and her herb farm, and the simple, natural things in life; Glory is a rich girl who brings her city ways, attitudes, and tastes with her. Gloria is beautiful, Elizabeth never has been. Elizabeth enjoys things cultural, Glory goes for show tunes. As for this murderous husband ... Elizabeth isn't quite so sure Glory's imagination isn't running away with her. Besides, she has her own wedding to plan -- to a man who may not be what he appears to be. In the ensuing friction, it seems unlikely these two will bond as adults. Still, Elizabeth tries to be patient and understanding, even going so far as to agree to accompany Glory to a workshop run by a prominent medium at a nearby luxury spa. It is here that the mysteries deepen and become more complex; even as the tension between the two sisters lessens, the tension coming from outside grows. In the end, Elizabeth and Gloria must either turn to each other, or lose what little family bond still exists between them.Now, those of you who are familiar with the series will know that it is Lane's habit to interweave past and present, two story lines that are separate yet complement each other. Under the Skin is no different as she adds to her loom the tale of two spiritualists, also sisters, staying at that same spa a century ago. Fraud, misdirection and deceit, time-ago secrets come to light ... and what happened in the past doesn't necessarily stay in the past.Under the Skin is primarily a novel about relationships, about trust, about coming to understand and appreciate each other no matter how different the other is. It is a novel about *listening* to what the other has to say. That aspect is very well handled, indeed -- and, since the mystery is actually of secondary importance (I feel) in this book, this is all that really matters. That said, it's not a book without flaws -- flaws I cannot describe in detail without spoilers; let's just say I found part of the denouement is a little too convenient, and one particular problem is rather hastily wound up. Despite this, the writing is up to Lane's usual standards. She allows us to see Elizabeth more clearly and in more aspects, good and bad, than before. If you are very observant, you will note this is also the first time Elizabeth appears as a narrator. There is less interaction with the people of Appalachia than usual, but Lane's love for the landscape and way of life glows on the page, as it does all her other books.Was it worth the wait? I thought so, but then Vicki Lane's name on the title page is enough to sell me the book, and Under the Skin has not changed my mind one little bit. I had this on pre-order the moment Amazon made it available. Amazon should be sending out my copy Any Moment Now. I shall, however, hold onto my first copy, in bound galley form and inscribed by the author, and I shall continue to treasure it.So -- go forth, Vicki Lane fans, grab the book while it's hot. Those of you not yet Vicki Lane fans, you have some glorious reading ahead of you with the Full Circle Farm series as a whole.(p.s.: I should here add that I did *not* receive a preview of the book in exchange for a review. It was a last-minute decision on my part to add this to Amazon as well as sending it out to an online book-reading group.)