"Taut romantic suspense"

Like many NYPD Detectives and cops in general, Nick Sinestra is divorced and supplements his salary by working celebrity events as a guard. Unlike other police officers, Nick also enhances his income by selling "findings' to the sleazy Star Gazer tabloid. His current target for both of his moonlighting jobs is shy widow Portia Wells, whose deceased husband was the president of the highly regarded Nature Preservation Society. Nick follows her from Manhattan to New Rochelle. When an aggressive reporter arrives, Portia realizes that Nick sold her out.

Because of a confrontation with a homeland security specialist, Nick's superior places him on vacation for a month, his first time off in over a year and a half. This enables Star Gazer to send Nick to Colorado to find information on the reclusive Portia. As he tries to regain her trust, Nick realizes that someone is trying to frighten Portia with each incident, more dangerous than the previous one. As the New Yorker falls in love with his pigeon and Portia reciprocates, thugs assault her leaving his beloved ON THIN ICE.

Lynn Erickson has earned a deserved reputation for powerfully taut romantic suspense tales and her latest AFTER HOURS will substantiate her esteem. The story line starts slow as Ms. Erickson introduces the two key players and the mistrust that is critical to the novel. Once Portia returns to Colorado, the novel accelerates until the final confrontation. Although the audience ironically knows who is pushing Portia ON THE EDGE, readers will appreciate the unfolding of the drama as Nick risks his life to keep his beloved safe.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted August 9, 2004

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Summary

NYPD Detective Nick Sinestra earns extra money moonlighting as a bodyguard—and selling celebrity secrets to a tabloid. But his conscience begins to sting when he shadows society wallflower Portia Carr Wells.

Continuing her late husband's work for the Nature Preservation Society, Portia has made some enemies. She just never thought Nick was one of them. And as threats against her are played out, her mind rails against trusting him. But desire has a mind of its own.