The Damsel in the Dress
Marianne Stillings
Avon, Aug 2004, $5.99, 384 pp.
ISBN: 0060575336

In Seattle, mystery author and currently desk cop J. Soldier McKennett is annoyed that Port Henry Editor Betsy Tremaine rips his latest novel in her review. At the Northwest Crime and Punishment Writer's Conference in which Soldier will provide a talk he sees a woman who he immediately wants, a feeling he is unaccustomed to having. Betsy sees a man staring at her who she thinks is sexy, but wonders if this is her stalker.

When they finally meet, both obviously recognize the identity of the other with a sigh of resignation. At the events, the duo tries to trump one another. That changes when Betsy's stalker raises the ante by refrigerating her mother's dog that is staying with her. Soldier returns to active duty to protect Betsy, vowing what happened to his late partner, which he blames himself for, will not happen to the woman he loves.

The lead couple makes this a fun police procedural romance. Betsy is not afraid to criticize (change that to rip off the skin) of her beloved when it comes to his 'Crimes of the Northwest' novels while Soldier wishes she would appreciate his tales but does not sweat it as long as she loves him. Though intriguing, the stalker subplot pales next to the romance between these two likable protagonists.

Harriet Klausner