Most Wanted

TEST

A serial killer is killing the prostitutes of Oklahoma City and Sgt. Whitney Shea is determined to solve the case. She thinks she has a suspect, one Andrew Copeland, son of a wealthy politician. She knows this fact will only make her job more difficult, but she’s not about to let that stop her. Whitney’s obsession with this case masks her pain over her failed marriage, followed by a badly chosen relationship that ruined the friendship she’d once shared with the man. As a result of all this stress and worry, she is developing an ulcer and is popping antacids by the dozens. When she meets Bill Taylor, assistant district attorney in Oklahoma City, her stomach isn’t the only thing that starts to burn. Their fiery attraction and the exciting suspense story make for a wonderful blend in Most Wanted, the latest romantic thriller by Maggie Price.

Most Wanted is a sequel to The Man She Almost Married, Price’s last SIM. In that earlier book, Bill Taylor was the man dumped by heroine Julia Cruz. And while Bill has gotten over Julia, he’s not eager to jump into a new relationship, especially with a woman whose romantic history is as screwed up as Whitney’s. So when Bill is assigned to work with Whitney on the case, they acknowledge the attraction, but determine to keep their relationship professional. It isn’t long before they realize that the heat between them is undeniable.

Many authors can’t seem to successfully balance romance and suspense. Generally one gets more attention than the other. But Ms. Price handles it beautifully. The serial killer storyline is intriguing and exciting and as Bill and Whitney work to close in on the killer, the tension mounts and the reader is swept into the tale. Ms. Price throws some surprising twists into the mystery, adding to the already high stakes. The romance was as equally as compelling. Both Bill and Whitney are dynamic, interesting and fleshed out characters. Their reluctance to get involved with each other and their inability to avoid it, was well depicted. More importantly, they were realistic, interesting people, not just a larger than life hero and heroine.

I also enjoyed the secondary characters. Whitney’s partner Jake was a tormented man destined for hero billing in his own book. And I loved Bill’s sassy sister Nicole. She was a funny, bright, engaging character who made the sibling relationship enjoyable. It’s pretty clear the author plans to pair Jake and Nicole and I for one look forward to it.

The only flaw in this book is a minor one and has more to do with the conventions of the genre than the author’s ability. I know there must be an HEA at the end of all romances, but Bill and Whitney, while in love, had barely dated and couldn’t have known each other all that well. The fact that they wanted to get married struck me as somewhat implausible and forced. As I said, I know it’s a convention of the genre. But maybe it’s something that needs to be changed. A reader can be aware that a couple will have a happy ending without being clubbed over the head with knowledge of their impending nuptials.

That aside, Most Wanted is a great romantic suspense novel. Ms Price knows how to provide thrilling romance and breathtaking suspense in the sometimes restrictive category format, something not so easy to do. She’s got a bright future ahead of her. I can easily see the author taking her talents more mainstream like romantic suspense authors such as Tami Hoag, Linda Howard and Nora Roberts. While I hope that she has many more series romances in her future, I know that wherever she goes, I’ll eagerly follow.

Reviewed by Anthony Langford

Grade: A-

Sensuality: Warm

Review Date: 17/09/99

Publication Date: 1999/07

Recent Comments …

  1. excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.

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