"Delightful romantic mystery"

After saying yes to Calder Hart's proposal of marriage, wealth society heiress Francesca Cahill disappears. When she returns, she meets up with Calder at a society function where he announces their engagement. Also at the party is New York City Police Commissioner Rick Bragg, the man Francesca loves and her fiancé hates. Even though Rick is married to the beautiful Leigh Anna, he feels betrayed that Francesca is going to marry his detested half-brother.

The object of both their affections is more concerned with her new case than matters of the heart. A beautiful young girl has disappeared while walking from her home to the store and her parents are frantic with worry. As Francesca, with the help of Rick and Calder, investigates the child's disappearance, they discover that more young girls have gone missing and they fear a white slavery ring is operating in the area. Francesca is determined to find the children and discover who is behind their disappearances even if it means putting her own life in danger.

Francesca is not the typical society debutant in 1902 New York City as she is a strong-willed, feisty crusader who believes in the causes she fights for and is determined to be more then as ornament, hence her job as a sleuth. The Francesca Cahill novels are always brimming with passion and history. DEADLY PROMISE is a delightful romantic mystery that will have readers so enthralled they will want to finish this work in one sitting.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted October 25, 2003

Summary

It is March of 1902, and Francesca Cahill-Fifth Avenue heiress, undaunted political activist and intrepid amateur sleuth-has just learned of a grave new danger haunting the streets of New York. A beautiful teenage girl named Emily O'Hare is missing and Francesca fears that the girl has been abducted. Only one person can help her learn the child's fate-but Police Commissioner Rick Bragg may not want to get involved because Francesca has just stunned Rick by accepting a proposal of marriage...from none other than his own rival.

Francesca still questions her decision to marry the powerful and notorious Calder Hart. But Rick Bragg is wed to another...and his dazzling wife has just returned after four years abroad to reclaim their marriage. Francesca remains torn between the two very different men-but she desperately tries to set aside the affairs of her heart when she discovers that Emily isn't the first girl to vanish in recent weeks. And when Francesca discovers a trail of deception and lies, when someone very close to her investigation is murdered, Francesca realizes that the evil force behind the girls' abductions may try to find a way to silence her too-if she dares to uncover the truth...