"fine romantic mystery"

Eighteen months ago in Puffin Harbor, Maine Duncan Ross and Willow Foster shared a blissful night together. He thought it was the beginning of a lifetime as he believes he found his soulmate; she catalogues it as a delightful one night stand fearing how deep she feels for the Scot. Duncan has all the townsfolk including her mother believing that they will wed soon once he persuades her to accept his offer of matrimony, but Willow avoids even coming home acting like the elusive butterfly eluding his net of love.

However, as a Maine Assistant District Attorney Willow comes home when a lobster catch in the nearby waters proves contaminated. She, joined by Duncan, begins an investigation to determine what happened, who is responsible, and whether criminal charges should be filed. As they work the dangerous waters of corporate America seeking to identify the polluter, Willow realizes she loves her protector, but fears commitment.

Contemporary readers will find THE DANGEROUS PROTECTOR is an intriguing but odd romantic suspense thriller that seems to combine historical courting elements into a modern day investigative tale. The story line is at its best when the lead duet working in tandem make inquiries including searching the money and paper trails. When the plot turns romantic, it feels strange as if the time and place was eighteenth century Scotland and even an Internet romance feels old fashioned. Still Janet Chapman entertains her audience with this fine romantic mystery.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted May 20, 2005

Summary

Coastal Maine serves as the appealing backdrop for this charming but clichéd novel of romantic suspense from Chapman (The Seductive Imposter). When a lobsterman alerts state Assistant Attorney General Willow Foster to the presence of contaminants in Puffin Harbor, she begins a secret investigation. She's unofficially assisted by bar owner and former salvager Duncan Ross, whose offers of both marriage and passion she's been resisting since a one-night stand 18 months earlier. As the two explore both the corporate paper trail and the local seascape, Duncan reveals that he's actually a Scottish lord, while Willow is forced to grapple with her fear of commitment. The story's use of old-fashioned romantic conventions often seems silly in this modern context. Corporate polluters call their victims "Miss," while Duncan's sister's Internet lover arrives from New Zealand carrying family heirlooms to ask for permission to court. Chapman's mimicry of Duncan's brogue is also unfortunate, making him sound more like Popeye ("Can ya climb with yar splint?") than an aristocratic adventurer. This novel works best when it focuses on the timeless bonds between friends and family, community and place.