"A Thrilling Continuation of a Fantasic Series"

DEADLY CARESS picks up right where the cliffhanger of DEADLY DESIRE left us - with the murder of a young artist, whose studio has been vandalized similarly to Sarah Channing's in DEADLY DESIRE. DEADLY CARESS picks up the mystery of the vandalized studio, and takes it to a new level with the murder of a young woman.

What will entice and tantalize the reader, however, is not the mystery (fantastic as it may be) but the development of the ensemble of characters that Joyce has created. In DEADLY CARESS we have the return of the infamous Leigh Ann Bragg - Rick Bragg's estranged wife. Her character - at least on the surface - is certainly a surprise given what the reader has been told about her. Of course there is also the continuation of the love triangle between Rick, Calder, and Francesca - which Calder had escalated with his proposal of marriage at the end of DEADLY DESIRE. And of course, the presence of the no longer absent Mrs. Bragg is sure to put a kink in the star crossed love of Rick and Francesca. Connie and her husband continue to work out their differences, and Evan attempts to strike out on his own - before becoming entangled in the web of a murderer who strikes out at those close to him. Sarah and the rest of the Bragg family also make appearances, especially young Roarke, the very attentive medical student.

The plot thickens and the web grows more complicated around this fabulous ensemble of characters, with a somewhat shocking and unexpected conclusion. For the reader who likes historials, mysteries, and a dash of sensuality and romance thrown in to spice up the pot - this is definately the book for you. The Francesca Cahill Series is shaping up to be one that will hopefully be around for a long, long time and is a definite breath of fresh air for the jaded reader.

Reviewed by Bonnie Rock
Posted March 15, 2003

Read an Excerpt

In 1902 New York City, a famous stage actress is found strangled in an artist's studio--and the artist has vanished. Francesca Cahill is on the case, for the murder victim is her brother's mistress, and she'll need help from dynamic Police Commissioner Rick Bragg.