Review: Evil Genius by Patricia Rice

Evil GeniusEvil Genius by Patricia Rice

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Particulars: Evil Genius by Patricia Rice, e-book, mystery.
The Review:

The Blurb:
Anastasia Devlin has the instincts of a chameleon, but what she really wants is to provide her siblings with the security of the home she’s been denied. Her grandfather dies and his mansion is usurped by a stranger. If murder hasn’t already been committed, she might perpetrate one herself—starting with the annoying spy in the attic. The threads of three mysteries twine together, and someone wants to cut the cord before Ana finds the answers.

My impressions:
I discovered that Patricia Rice had released a new e-book purely by coincidence. The blurb sounded interesting, so I bought it. Patricia Rice is best known for her romance novels, filled with charming characters. This one isn’t a romance, it is a mystery novel.
It is about family, and family secrets. The characters fascinated me, with their depth, secrets and humor. I especially liked that every character was there because they moved the plot forward.
As I read this book, the similarity to Jennifer Crusie struck me several times. Is it better than a Jennifer Crusie novel? Read it and decide for yourself. All I hope , is that Patricia Rice writes some more books about Ana and her family. 10 or so should be enough….

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Force of Habit by Alice Loweecey

Force of Habit (A Falcone & Driscoll Investigation)Force of Habit by Alice Loweecey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Particulars: Crime, Llewellyn Worldwide, available both in print and e-book

Why was it in my TBR? It was offered for free for awhile, and the blurb piqued my intrest

The Review:

The blurb:

An ex-nun takes a wobbly leap into private investigation

Giulia Falcone is going straight to hell. First, because she left the convent. Second, her new job with a private investigator has her sneaking around and lying. Adjusting to life outside the habit isn’t easy. Make-up, dating, and sex are all new to her. And despite a crush on her boss Frank Driscoll—a foul-mouthed, soft-hearted ex-cop—Giulia is sure he’d never fall for an ex-nun.

Her first case involves drop-dead handsome Blake Parker, a man with immense wealth and an ego to match. He and his fiancée are getting disturbing “gifts” with messages based on Bible verses. When Guilia is drawn into the stalker’s sights, salacious photos appear, threatening her job and her friendship with Frank. No one imagines—least of all naïve Guilia—the danger ahead, when a date with an online gamer turns into a fight for her life.

My impressions:

I loved this book. It is a multi-facetted mystery about love, and past actions. Giulia’s uncertainty and doubt about her religion were a red thread through the whole book. Her naivete was a nice contrast compared to the blase and cynic Frank.

That differnece is one thing that Alice Loweecey use to raise the stakes in this novel. She use small things, needling words, glances. These things creates doubts, both in Giulia’s mind and Frank’s. Slowely, the rift widen until their relationship is so frayed that they are barely talking with each other.

I read a lot, and often it takes more than one book to hook me. Alice Loweceey have managed to create a fascinating mystery, that makes me impatiently wait for the next one.

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