Brenda Joyce, Deadly Illusions

Deadly Illusions

Brenda Joyce

Mira, Feb 2005, $7.50, 384 pp.

ISBN: 077832138X

In 1902 Manhattan, the Slasher has attacked three working class Irish women; the first two survived the ordeal, but the third victim is dead. Fearing for her friend Maggie Kennedy who lives in the same neighborhood that is under assault, heiress sleuth Francesca Cahill begins to investigate the vicious crimes over the objection of her fianc , successful businessman Calder Hart. He does not want her in harm's way or hanging out with his rival, his half-brother, married Police Commissioner Rick Bragg because Francesca and Rick were once thought to be in love.

Still, Francesca is an independent person and no one, even her future spouse, will tell her what she cannot do. She makes inquiries and visits the crime scenes where she runs into Rick. Suspects are everywhere, especially estranged spouses and fianc s, but in spite of the combined efforts of Rick and Francesca, the Slasher strikes again. To catch this killer Francesca knows she must be the bait.

The seventh Cahill historical mystery provides Brenda Joyce's audience with a wonderful lamplight look at Manhattan at the turn of the century. The storyline is fast-paced but loaded with intricate family relationships that bring to life the key players, especially the half-brothers, Rick's wife, and the heroine. The who-done-it is fun as the suspects seem plentiful and the moving forward on relational fronts provides a freshness somewhat lacking in the last two books, but DEADLY ILLUSIONS is at its best lighting up 1902 New York City.

Harriet Klausner