Killer Heat

By Brenda Novak

The bodies of seven women have been discovered in Skull Valley, Arizona.

Jonah Young, a private security operative from Department 6, has been hired by the Yavapai County sheriff to assist in solving these murders. But Jonah's not prepared for the complications that arise when he's forced to work with a woman from his past, private investigator Francesca Moretti. Jonah betrayed Francesca ten years ago. She hasn't forgiven him and she's pretty sure she never will.

But the woman she was hired to find has been murdered in exactly the same way as the seven in Skull Valley, so, Francesca has to work with Jonah. They quickly zero in on the most likely suspect–but questions remain. Questions they have to answer. Because if they bet on the wrong man, it might be the last thing they ever do….

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins UK
• Release date: Nov 1, 2011
• ISBN: 9781408955703

Brenda Novak

Brenda Novak hätte es sich nie erträumt, einmal eine so erfolgreiche Autorin zu werden, interessierte sie sich doch in der Schule stark für Mathematik und Naturwissenschaften und wählte Betriebswirtschaftslehre als Hauptfach auf der Universität. Für ihren ersten Roman brauchte Brenda fünf Jahre – sie wollte perfekt sein. Und sie hatte Erfolg – ihre spannenden Thriller und Liebesromane haben sofort eine treue Fangemeinde gefunden. Heute lebt Brenda mit ihrem Ehemann Ted in Sacramento, Kalifornien. Sie sind stolze Eltern von fünf Kindern – drei Mädchen und zwei Jungen. Brenda engagiert sich u. a. für Stiftungen, z. B. für den Kampf gegen Diabetes, denn auch ihr jüngster Sohn ist betroffen. Noch mehr können Sie über Brenda Novak unter www.brendanovak.com erfahren.

[lauren2013_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Killer Heat
3 stars (4 for the plot and 2 for the romance)

Good suspense plot but awful characterization.

This book has to have the most TSTL heroine that has ever existed. Not only is she the most inept private investigator who gets into the most stupid situations and alienates every law enforcement officer in her vicinity, but she also remains friends with the self-absorbed b*tch (a very fitting description) who betrayed her in the most basic of ways, and manages to forgive for the selfish jerk who broke her heart.

The hero is a cheat and a hypocrite. His excuses for his unforgivable behavior are not only unconvincing but offensive, and his reconciliation with the heroine is unrealistic in the extreme.

The investigation into a serial killer targeting women associated with a local salvage yard operator is the book’s only saving grace. The suspects are well-developed and the motivations compelling. Nevertheless, the identity of the killer is exceedingly obvious and the climax and resolution are rushed. The epilogue is also completely superfluous.

Brenda Novak is a skilled writer as evinced by the 2nd book in this series. However, this is definitely NOT one of her better works.

[pam50627 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I had read this book in paperback when it first came out but purchased the Kindle edition and decided to re-read it. I liked it as much the second time as I did the first. Brenda Novak writes excellent romantic suspense novels. They keep you guessing until the end.

The main character is a private investigator named Francesca. She stumbles upon a dead body during her missing person case. The police are investigating & have Francesca's ex help out. Francesca has a problem with this since they broke up because he slept with her girlfriend. He's remorseful but she isn't sure she can forgive him.

The plot is interesting in that you have twists & turns in the suspense portion of the story and you really can't find the killer until the end. It keeps you deeply involved. The romance part of the story ties in with feelings that are believable. You feel sorry for Francesca even when you want to slap her to get her to wake up and see her best friend for what she really is.

I loved this series & would read it again.

[readinggeek451 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A missing person search leads a private investigator into trouble, as police--and her ex--track a serial killer that may be the same case.

This is a very loose series, mostly unrelated, at least so far.