Mary Zelinsky, Something Very Wicked

Something Very Wicked

Mary Zelinsky

Five Star, December 2006, $26.95

ISBN: 1594145547

Needing to get away and to take care of business, Ethan Galen decides New Orleans Times "fluff" reporter Cora Dearing is perfect to clean up his family's not so stellar reputation, devastated by the antics of his siblings, as much as by his own playboy reputation. He needs to persuade her to do a piece on his grandma, who for decades has rolled up her sleeves and performed good deeds for those in need.

Times editor Jim Matthews assigns Cora to write a series of articles on romance and intrigue, though she objects to another feel good assignment, as she wants to be considered a serious journalist. Through some clever manipulations, Ethan gets her to visit the Water Lilies while he is there under the name of Ethan Auxler. At Water Lilies, odious guest Mrs. Rothman vanishes and Cora suffers from food poisoning. As Ethan hangs around her, she begins to believe that Ethan might be a killer and a thief; and she wonders if he murdered Mrs. Rothman and stole her heart.

Readers will wonder alongside Cora about Ethan also, as all evidence points to his being at a minimum involved in an abduction and perhaps a homicide. The storyline is action-packed, as Ethan makes Machiavelli look like an amateur with his ability to manipulate, but also fails to control his heart as he falls in love with the person he is "controlling". Though Mrs. Rothman is stereotyped as the ugly American, so no one on tour or reading will miss her, except perhaps her daughter, fans will enjoy this suspenseful investigative tale, especially to learn the motive for her disappearance.