Audiobook Review: One in Vermillion by Jennifer Crusie & Bob Mayer

One in Vermillion
Author: Jennifer Crusie & Bob Mayer
Narrator: Cris Dukehart & Eric G. Dove
Series: Liz Danger (Book 3)
Publication: Brilliance Audio (February 6, 2024)
Length: 9 hours and 49 minutes

Description: One in Vermillion: That red in the ledger isn’t just the ink.

Liz Danger is stuck in her hometown of Burney, Ohio, because her insane employer has rented a house there for the summer, which means she has three more months of trying to get a copy edit done, babysitting a seven-year-old, and figuring out what to do with three hundred and ninety-two teddy bears. And then there’s her mother. Even the good news that she’s living with a hot cop is tempered by the knowledge that sooner or later, she’s going to have to figure out her future, and she's still not sure what she wants that to be.

Vince Cooper is stuck in a town that keeps asking him when he’s going to make an honest woman of Liz Danger and in a job that’s just sunk into anarchy because of local and state politics that are kneecapping the police department, not to mention a biker gang and Liz’s ex-boyfriend who still hasn’t figured out that the ex part is permanent. Good thing he has Liz to come home to . . . until he doesn’t.

As Liz and Vince try to navigate their increasingly complicated relationship, they’re finding out startling new things about themselves and the town they’re trying to protect, and that means dealing with greedy politicians, arson, broken hearts (not theirs), vandalism, questionable real estate, murder, and a lot of soggy bears.

My Thoughts: This is the finale of the Liz Danger trilogy. It has romance, politics, family secrets and family interference. It also has a really cute seven-year-old and lots and lots of stuffed bears. 

The arsonist trying to burn down Burney is in prison, but the criminals aren't all caught. The motorcycle gang is still causing problems and Liz's ex is right in the middle of it all. Cash can't accept that Liz has moved on. He's sure that his charm will win her back no matter what he does to alienate her. 

With the senator's interference, George is no longer chief of police and the incompetent toady put in the department by the spouse-abusing mayor is the new chief. Vince is almost to the point of resigning and would if he didn't care so much for Burney. 

His relationship with Liz is also a point of contention between them. They are in love but are both used to being independent. When Liz buys an old house in the country, she is making a decision. She loves Vince but doesn't want to marry him or live with him. 

There are still secrets to be revealed about Liz's family that will make changes in her life. And Anemone looks like she's in Burney to stay which should make making the final copy edits on her biography possible. She also wants Liz to ghostwrite more books which will be handy now that they are both planning to stay in Burney.

This was an excellent story which comes to a very satisfying conclusion after a lot of perilous bumps in the road. I enjoyed what each narrator brought to the story. 

I bought this one October, 26, 2024. You can buy your copy here.