Julia Wainright has lovingly put together a store full of priceless antique books in the New Orleans Mardi Gras district and has met with success. Her father, a well-known public person in the religious field, wishes that Julia didn't own the store and even more so that she didn't live in the dilapidated apartment above her bookstore. He's adamant that she would be so much more comfortable in the lavish quarters of his home. She's not.

When Julia's sister spills the beans about some threatening letters Julia has received, her father calls John Merrick, an ex-cop struggling with his conscience. John has returned to New Orleans to escape the painful reminders that he caused the death of another police officer during a stake- out gone bad. He's agreed to a brief security inspection for an old family friend. Little does he know that once he's seen little-pudgy-Julia all grown-up into a beautiful woman, he will not be able to walk away, especially since he knows the threatening letters are a personal attack on Julia and she's not telling all there is to know.

Julia doesn't trust John and why should she when he drinks himself to oblivion every night? He's not the same man she had a crush on as a teenager. John doesn't want to get to know Julia, because that would mean he'd have to stick around and he's not worthy of Julia. She deserves someone who can protect her and keep her safe.

Julia and John must learn to trust each other and share their secrets before a killer who has targeted Julia succeeds in the plans he has devised in the letters. Trust and determination go a long way. A WHISPER IN THE DARK is an exciting, fast, page-turning read that promises suspense and desire, and delivers. You'll long remember Linda Castillo's stories.