Monday, December 1, 2014

Deadly Obsession (A Brown and Deluca Novel)-Maggie Shayne

Deadly Obsession (A Brown and Deluca Novel)
Maggie Shayne
Harlequin MIRA, Nov 25 2014, $7.99
ISBN: 9780778316800

Renowned self-help author Rachel de Luca gained psychic skills after she received the corneas donated from the late brother of police detective Mason Brown.  Rachel and Mace began seeing each other and tonight enjoy another wonderful evening together when they see a blaze.  Mace learns from bystanders that the two Rouse children are trapped inside.  Without regard to his safety, he rushes inside and soon exits carrying eight years old Jeffrey and three years old Rose though afterward Mace is rushed to Syracuse’s St. Joe suffering from severe burns on his arms and smoke inhalation.  Panicked Rachel calls her sister who reminds her that Mace’s nephews (Jeremy and Joshua) need her with their father Eric dead, their mom Marie locked away in a padded cell and now their uncle injured.

Mace’s partner Rosie informs him and Rachel that the fire inspector concluded arson killed the mother and the person of interest is the separated husband Peter.  Mace leaves the hospital to finish recuperating at home.  He hires Gretchen Young as his in-home nurse; unaware she has romantic plans for him after watching his heroism on the news.  At the same time Marie escapes confinement, several more arsons including Mace’s home occur.  Rachel distrusts Gretchen although she wonders if that is jealousy instead of her psychic barometer warning her. 

The fourth Brown and de Luca paranormal police procedural (see Sleep with the Light, Wake To Darkness and Innocent Prey) is a tremendous thriller that rotates perspective giving the audience a wonderful 360 panorama at what is going on that ironically the characters do not have.  Fast-paced, loaded with action and a strong cast, this is one drama hard to put down.


Harriet Klausner

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