"Retired research professor turned sleuth"

Gloria Lamerino is now a police consultant. She is a retired research professor and physicist. Her goddaughter M. C. Galigani believes her ex-boyfriend Jake Powers is stalking her. Wayne Gallen, a former co-worker, shows up to warn her that she's in danger because of some misdirected e-mail.

Then a student of M.C.'s that was an undercover private investigator is murdered. Gloria is very concerned about the whole situation.

Gloria's boyfriend, Matt Geneva, is a police detective. He isn't very involved in this case as he has just been diagnosed with prostrate cancer. Gloria is torn between helping M. C. and taking care of Matt.

Gloria uncovers an illegal medical experiment run by someone who doesn't seem to stop at murder. Can she protect M. C. while bringing everything to light?

This was the first I've read in this series. I will definitely be reading more of this series. Gloria is such a likeable character. I was so worried that since this series is the periodic table series, there would be too much scientific talk. That wasn't the case. She uses her knowledge of science, but the book is very enjoyable to those who don't know science.

I highly recommend this book.

Reviewed by Dawn Dowdle
Posted October 9, 2005

Summary

Gloria Lamerino's goddaughter, Mary Catherine Galigani ("MC" to her friends), needs a change in her life. She decides to move back to her hometown of Revere, Massachusetts, thereby ridding herself of both an abusive relationship and an unfulfilling job in Houston, Texas. At least that's the plan. When two homicides disrupt MC's peaceful return to Revere, Gloria applies her not inconsiderable detecting skills to help the police solve the crimes. At the same time, Gloria must face the medical problems of her partner, Detective Matt Gennaro, and the next steps in their relationship. In this sixth periodic table mystery, Gloria delves behind the scenes into the worlds of nanotechnology and show horses, and unwittingly uncovers a crime ring larger than the distance between Texas and Massachusetts.