Monday, July 14, 2008

Trial by Fire-Jo Davis

Trial by Fire
Jo Davis
Signet, Aug 2008, $6.99
ISBN: 9780451224774

House-sitting school teacher Kat McKenna is in shock when the home she watches is set on fire. Firefighter Lieutenant Howard “Six Pack” Paxton tries to calm down the distraught woman who literally falls into his arms. Soon afterward, a corpse is found inside.

Arson investigators and police conclude the fire was set to conceal a homicide. They also believe Kat inadvertently might have seen the killer. Howard is concerned that the culprit may come after Kat; so he vows to keep her safe. However when a second fire and murder occurs, he reassesses his position as he new thinks the killer is targeting him in some deranged way; but that frightens the normally fearless firefighter who fears the arsonist-killer may target the woman he loves.

Not just the fires are hot in this exhilarating romantic suspense thriller as the relationship between the lead couple is pure heat. The cast makes the tale work as Howard has relationship issues going back to his childhood; Kat is a courageous person; while the villain, whom readers learn his motive from his musings, is obviously deranged; and the rest of the key players are fully developed. Readers will appreciate Jo Davis’ strong tale due to the powerful characterizations making TRIAL BY FIRE a terrific action-packed tale.

Harriet Klausner

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