Elise Laird is the young and beautiful wife of the much older and well respected Judge Cato Laird. Duncan Hatcher is the Savannah detective called to the scene of a fatal shooting at the Laird household. While it appears that Mrs. Laird has shot a burglar in self defense, Hatcher is not convinced that all is at it seems; and a connection to a crime lord who is his nemesis makes his doubts soar. Complicating matters is his attraction to Elise, an attraction that could be fatal.

Okay that’s the story in a nutshell, and familiar romantic suspense territory. In Brown’s capable hands what could be mundane and trite is instead a fairly well plotted murder mystery loaded with twists, turns and plenty of surprises. The characters of Duncan and his partner Dee Dee Bowen are well drawn and believable, the other characters are less well done. The use of amazing coincidences and some unbelievable love scenes takes away from some of the enjoyment, but not much, and the ending is truly edge of your seat.

Mailing out to a PBS member