Karen Rose, Count to Ten

Count to Ten

Karen Rose

Warner, Feb 2007, $6.99

ISBN 0446616907

Chicago Fire Department Lieutenant Reed Solliday investigates a series of arsons when a homicide is added to the crimes. The police assign Detective Mia Mitchell to look into the murder aspects of the case.

Neither the fire inspector nor the homicide cop is pleased with their superiors teaming them up to catch a deadly arsonist. Mia is dissatisfied to be pulled off her current investigation into finding the culprit whose actions have left her partner hospitalized while Reed thinks she is too preoccupied with the inquires into her partner's injuries and grieving the death of her father to be of any use on his case. As they overcome their doubts about each other, they begin to uncover an attraction to one another while their adversary remains just out of reach. However, neither expected the serial arsonist-killer would begin making the cat and mouse game personal, choosing Mia as the epicenter of the next inferno.

Fans of Karen Rose's fine romantic mysteries will recognize the heroine as a tough chip off the old block police detective from tales like I'M WATCHING YOU, NOTHING TO FEAR and YOU CAN'T HIDE; this time she is the star. The storyline is filled with plenty of fiery action, but what keeps it fresh is the changing relationship between the two new partners as each has a reason to disbelieve the credibility of the other, but slowly come around in more ways than just a police-fire procedural focused on stopping a serial killing arsonist. Readers will appreciate this warm (no pun intended) romantic whodunit starring two independent, fiery, lead protagonists.

Harriet Klausner