Jayne Ann Krentz

The Lady Has a Past
4 Stars

Series note: The heroine is the younger sister of the heroine in the previous installment. Nevertheless, there is no connection between the plots, and the book can be read as a standalone.

Newly minted private investigator Lyra Brazier is eager to begin her career. However, she never expected her first case to involve a search for her missing employer, Raina Kirk. As Lyra and her reluctant partner, Simon Cage, follow the clues, they soon realize that there is more show more to Raina's disappearance at a luxurious spa than meets the eye. Who would want to kidnap Raina and why?

Despite the formulaic elements, such as the reluctant partnership (ala Lake and March) between an independent heroine and a damaged hero with a "unique gift," Quick still manages a surprise or two.

Unlike Vivian and Nick, whose relationship felt forced, Simon and Lyra's are a delight. The opposites-attract romance between the spunky, inquisitive and loquacious Lyra and the quieter, more straight-laced Simon is endearing and their bickering is hilarious at times.

The kidnapping plot takes some time to develop, but Quick cleverly plants a number of red herrings and allows the tension to build. There are several truly intense moments, and the twist at the end is excellent.

Overall, this is definitely one of the best books in the series and I look forward to reading the next one. show less

This latest in the Burning Cove series stars dream reader Prudence Ryland and consultant Jack Wingate. The story begins with Prudence facing down a murderer who has come for a reading. She uses her psychic talent to make him pass out. It confirms to her that she really needs to change careers.

Her next job is in an academic library filled with male chauvinists. When she's kidnapped and wakes finding herself wearing a bloody wedding gown and next to a corpse, she's sure that someone is trying show more to frame her for murder. After all, one of her former clients tried to bully her into marrying the man who is now a corpse.

She flees to Burning Cove where Lucas Pell pairs her up with investigator Jack Wingate who is writing a book about criminal profiling. Although Prudence recognizes that Jack has the psychic gift of intuition, Jack is convinced that psychic gifts are not real and thinks Prudence is a fraud. However, he does agree to look into her case and try to find out who is trying to kill her or frame her for murder.

Sparks fly between Jack and Prudence as the danger to Prudence increases. And Jack is more than willing to use her as bait to bring the criminals out into the open.

The story was fast-paced and filled with 1930s historical detail. I loved the growing relationship between Prudence and Jack that began with a lot of verbal sparring. Fans of paranormal mysteries and great banter will enjoy this latest episode in the series. show less

What is it about some people to which trouble seems to follow? Grace Elland’s boss had not shown up for work. She went to Sprague Witherspoon’s home. The door was open. She found he’d been killed. Immediately, she is reminded of a scene from when she was only sixteen. The murder technique was different, but there was a vodka bottle left prominently at the scene – same brand as years before.

Devlin Nakamura is the detective investigating. His wife, Irene, has known Grace since show more childhood. Irene sets her up on a blind date with Julius Arkwright who’d served in the Marine Corps with Devlin and is now a venture capitalist. The date was a bit of a disaster with both thinking the other was boring. Even still, they were attracted to each other. When she realizes she has a stalker, Julius steps in to offer protection.

The novel is a delightful cat and mouse drama with several suitable suspects. The police even look at Grace initially since she’d been ‘involved’ in both murders and because the vodka bottle was apparent at both scenes. I liked Grace’s character, but I was in love with the character of Julius Arkwright. Some of his no-nonsense, practical, and succinct dialogue actually reminded me of the personality of Sherlock Holmes. She is as much an optimist as he is a pragmatist. This is a romantic suspense with a heavier dose of suspense over romance, which is exactly the way I like it. I rated Trust No One at 4.5 out of 5. show less

Vivian Brazier has left her San Francisco home after refusing to marry the man her family picked out for her and is trying to forge a career as an art photographer. To make ends meet, she photographs crime scenes for a newspaper. After taking a photo of the latest victim of the Dagger Killer, she notices that the crime scene looks staged like an art photo. Her lead helps the police locate the killer and places her right in the center of the killer's bullseye.

Nick Sundridge is a private show more investigator who uses his psychic power to help him solve crimes. Otherwise, that power is known as the family curse and makes him fear for his sanity. He is asked to protect Vivian when information is found that she will be the next victim of an assassin.

Nick and his dog Rex move in to protect Vivian. Shortly thereafter, Vivian's rental house and all her photographic equipment are destroyed when someone throws a fire bomb through the front window. She, Nick and Rex take refuge in a hotel in Burning Cove while Nick tries to flush out the assassin.

This story was filled with great period detail of California in the 1930s. It also had wonderful characters who were distinct and distinctive individuals. I liked the romance between Nick and Vivian since it was an unconventional as the characters themselves.

This is another great entry into the Burning Cove Paranormal thriller series. show less