"Fine romantic suspense"

Though she knows he is a bad apple, private investigator Lucia Garzia wants to kick herself as she is attracted to former Kansas City cop Benjamin McCarthy, a convicted mass murderer; however, she does not act on her feelings for him. He is freed from prison as new evidence sent to Lucia from a Fed proved his innocence of that crime, but that he was a corrupt cop taking money from the mob.

When Lucia learns he works for the clandestine Cross Society that she has done some work for in fighting crime she sees this as her opportunity to get to know Ben better. He, on the other hand, distrusts everyone after his wrongful conviction prison stint, but is forced to work with Lucia on a weird case. Though desiring her, trust is critical in any relationship including crime fighting partnering and he has none.

Lucia seems like the magnet for bad dudes as almost everyone she meets is a nasty criminal type ready to rape and or kill her. The case the lead duet become entangled in is fascinating as they go down some psychic channels; however, it is the relationship professionally and personally that makes the investigation and the tale as he refuses to rely on anyone for anything including love although she ultimately got him freed from incarceration. Romantic suspense fans will enjoy this fine tale even if there are too many villains for two super sleuths to deal with.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted January 15, 2006