"Fine Bayou romantic suspense thriller"
New Orleans Detective Nat Archer heads to nearby Toussaint
to enlist the aid of his partner Guy Gautreaux, on a leave
of absence. Nat tells him someone shot and killed Pip
Sedge in the French Quarter; the victim had ties to
Toussaint. Guy says no as he still heals from a tragedy. Pastry shop owner Jilly Gable wants Guy though he does all
he can to discourage her even though he desires her too.
He is concerned that a woman claiming to be Jilly's mother
Edith, who deserted her years ago, wants to be back in her
life. Edith has brought her husband antiques dealer Sam
Preston with her. Guy does not trust the Prestons or
their bodyguard although he admits he has only a feeling
about the duo. Still he investigates because he will not
allow any harm to come to Jilly, but is unaware of the
link back to New Orleans. Though the flood puts a damper on this Bayou romantic
suspense thriller, readers will still appreciate this fine
tale. The hero is a good guy trying not to get involved,
but unable to keep out especially since he is falling in
love with the upbeat Jilly. She is the more intriguing
character with her need to belong to a loving family
sending her willingly into accepting the Prestons and
ultimately into danger. Stella Cameron provides a strong
tale, but the real world provides an eerie feel to the
Louisiana background. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted October 15, 2005
SummaryThe first mistake
Dead: an ordinary man in a pressed suit and tie. Just the
latest in a string of losers in the wrong place at the most
disastrous time. Not the kind of case to yank New Orleans
Homicide Detective Guy Gautreax away from his leave of
absence in Toussaint, Louisiana, the only home to offer him
a sense of purpose after a tragedy that nearly destroyed his
life.
The second mistake
But there's someone in Toussaint Guy will do
anything—even open up a dead cold case—to shelter.
Jilly Gable is desperate to find the love of the family who
abandoned her as a child. And when the wife of a powerful
New Orleans antiques dealer, loan shark—and twisted
degenerate—sweeps into town claiming to be her mother,
Jilly is all too willing to love and forget.
The final reckoning
Slowly and methodically, an evil envelopes Jilly and Guy
must bare the truth to snatch her back from the edge.
Connecting the dots between the Big Easy and Toussaint all
but cinches his case, but Jilly and Guy are drawn deeper
into corruption and they have only each other for protection.
Will that be enough?
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