Fashion Victim
Sue Swift
Five Star, Feb 9 2011, $25.95
ISBN: 9781594149306

Corporate raider Fletcher Wolf sues couturier Cara Fletcher for fifty million dollars claiming her Fletcher's Gear line of menswear infringes on his Fletcher Tool and Gear transmissions. Her lawyer and BFF Annemarie Slye says they can win in court but the cost will prove crippling. Fletcher meets Fletcher with both accompanied by their lawyers to discuss the suit. Both are stunned by their attraction to one another, but he handles his desire smoother than she does.

Meanwhile Cara struggles to connect with her tween daughter Natalie recently dumped on her by the child's no longer wealthy dad who won custody years ago. At the same the designer has been the victim of a harassment campaign that started with nasty phone calls but escalates to vandalism of her workshop and home that costs her money she does not have. Like the wolf he is Fletcher takes control of her firm. As she looks at the books, he realizes someone has been stealing from the firm. He leans towards Cara's assistant Maggie Anderson until she is murdered. In love with Cara, Fletcher vows to keep her safe and to uncover the identity of the culprit although he knows his beloved wonders if he is the perpetrator.

This is an engaging amateur sleuth romance starring two likable lead characters. The story line starts a bit slow as readers meet the key cast members, but once the assault escalates the plot takes off at a fast pace. Readers will enjoy this entertaining tale with a clever late twist as the audience wonders who is behind the attacks and why.

Harriet Klausner