Author: Amanda Quick
Series: Burning Cove, California (Book 4)
Publication: Berkley (May 5, 2020)
Description: Welcome to Burning Cove, California where 1930s Hollywood glamour conceals a ruthless killer…
Vivian Brazier never thought life as an art photographer would include nightly wake-up calls to snap photos of grisly crime scenes or headshots for aspiring male actors. Although she is set on a career of transforming photography into a new art form, she knows her current work is what’s paying the bills.
After shooting crime scene photos of a famous actress, the latest victim of the murderer the press has dubbed the “Dagger Killer,” Vivian notices eerie similarities to the crime scenes of previous victims—details that only another photographer would have noticed—details that put Vivian at the top of the killer’s target list.
Nick Sundridge has always been able to “see” things that others don’t, coping with disturbing dreams and visions. His talent, or as he puts it—his curse—along with his dark past makes him a recluse, but a brilliant investigator. As the only one with the ability to help, Nick is sent to protect Vivian. Together, they discover the Dagger Killer has ties to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood royalty and high society. It is a cutthroat world of allure and deception that Vivian and Nick must traverse—all in order to uncover the killer who will stop at nothing to add them to their gallery of murders.
My Thoughts: Vivian Brazier has left her San Francisco home after refusing to marry the man her family picked out for her and is trying to forge a career as an art photographer. To make ends meet, she photographs crime scenes for a newspaper. After taking a photo of the latest victim of the Dagger Killer, she notices that the crime scene looks staged like an art photo. Her lead helps the police locate the killer and places her right in the center of the killer's bullseye.
Nick Sundridge is a private investigator who uses his psychic power to help him solve crimes. Otherwise, that power is known as the family curse and makes him fear for his sanity. He is asked to protect Vivian when information is found that she will be the next victim of an assassin.
Nick and his dog Rex move in to protect Vivian. Shortly thereafter, Vivian's rental house and all her photographic equipment are destroyed when someone throws a fire bomb through the front window. She, Nick and Rex take refuge in a hotel in Burning Cove while Nick tries to flush out the assassin.
This story was filled with great period detail of California in the 1930s. It also had wonderful characters who were distinct and distinctive individuals. I liked the romance between Nick and Vivian since it was an unconventional as the characters themselves.
This is another great entry into the Burning Cove Paranormal thriller series.
Favorite Quote:
The voice, she decided, went with the man - dark and resonant and compelling. It was a midnight-and-moonlight voice, full of shadows and unspoken promises. A voice that could lead a woman into - or out of - hell. She absolutely had to photograph the man.I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.
Nice historical paranormal. The book cover is eye catching.
ReplyDelete"a midnight-and-moonlight voice" - nicely evocative. I do like this series and this seems like another good entry.
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