Anita's Reviews > Count to Ten

Karen Rose is, quite simply, one of the very best romantic-suspense authors writing today. If you like your romantic-suspense heavy on the suspense you will love this series. To truly appreciate the world she had created, you need to start at the beginning and read in order. You also need to harden yourself to the body count, it gets pretty high and the heroine is not safe, unlike most other novels of this genre. Although I can detect a formula going on throughout the book, it doesn't detract from what is really a great plot.

Mia is back on duty after being shot. Her partner, Abe, is still in the hospital. Mia believes that her inattention is what got them both shot and she has been ducking everyone she knows because of that. Her first case back is an murder and arson. She is partnered with Reed, a fire investigator. Holy sparks!

Reed has issues. His wife, his soul-mate, died 12 years ago leaving him with a daughter and a lot of grief. He is drawn to Mia, but has a no-strings policy because he still loves his dead wife. No-strings works for Mia as well, so everything is good to go, right? Not so much.

This murderer/arsonist is not just doing this indiscriminately or for money. He has a purpose and a plan and is very effective at not leaving any clues. You haven't a suspension as to his identity until well into the book. His backstory is heartbreaking, but that doesn't make him any less of a monster.