SUPERSTITION by Karen Robards
Karen Robards does not get the spotlight as much as do her contemporaries such as Nora Roberts, Iris Johanssen or even Tess Gerritsen. But her lack of being a household name does not mean she is not a gifted writer. Her romantic mysteries will stand up against anyone's, and her latest novel SUPERSTITION is one of her best.
The locale of the story is Pawley's Island, South Carolina. It is a sleepy southern place where the living is easy and the crime rate is low. This is the place where Nicole Sullivan was raised and it is the place she left in order to become a hot television news personality. Now Nicole is back home exploring a murder that took place years before, and using her psychic mother to give the show she is doing an edge.
The new police chief Joe Franconi scoffs at the thought of "ghosts" haunting the victim's home and tries to prevent Nicole from doing the show. He doesn't want his new place of work to seem silly on air. But Nicole goes on with the show and shortly thereafter a new murder occurs. It is done in much the same style as the original murder.
Now Nicole has more than an old crime to investigate, and Joe not only has to find the murderer but also protect Nicole against becoming the next victim. Based on phone calls and e-mails allegedly from the killer, Nicole is in his sights to also be a victim.
Robards gives the mystery just the right pacing to keep the reader engrossed and enthusiastic about all that is happening within the pages. She also knows how to add just a sprinkle of humor and a dollop of sex and romance. Joe and Nicole make a power charged couple who can't keep their minds or their hands off each other.
The identity of the killer is a mystery until the final pages and when he/she is revealed it is a shock. Not because it isn't logical, but because it is so unexpected.
Karen Robards is in top form with SUPERSTITION. It is a book that is fun to read and easy to recommend. You don't know what kind of future Joe and Nicole may have together but it would be great to read about any further adventures they might have. Are you listening, Karen?
SUPERSTITION is published by G P Putnam's Sons. It contains 418 pages and sells for $24.95.