This is the fisrt book in Allison
Brennan's 'Evil' romantic suspense trilogy and the first that
I had the pleasure to read. And the pleasure was indeed
mine. SPEAK NO EVIL is rapid-fire suspense coupled with
slow-burn romance.
Carina Kincaid is a homicide detective, inspired by the
tragic death of her nephew. She doesn't want any victim's
death to go unsolved. So when she catches the case of a
young college student who is raped, defiled, and murdered,
it gets personal for Carina.
Nick Thomas is a small-town sheriff. He's got plenty to
keep him busy but he doesn't hesitate to drop everything
and run to the aid of his big brother Steve, when it looks
a though Steve might have something to do with the co-ed's
murder.
Secrets and lies keep the plot twisting and turning, as
Nick discovers that he doesn't know Steve as well as he
thought, and that he'd like to know Carina a lot better.
Carina is both instantly attracted to Nick and wary of his
desire to extend his to help her and her partner catch a
killer.
I usually stay away from graphic, all-too-realistic
murders when I choose romantic suspense stories. However,
I found this one difficult to put down. For my money, I
prefer a stronger romance, in terms of unfolding emotions
and growing attachment, than the delicate dance between
Det. Kincaid and Sheriff Thomas. I also thought the wrap-
up of the romance plot felt tacked on, necessary because
the very gripping suspense story had been resolved.
Overall, however, it was a good read because Ms. Brennan
is a very good writer. She puts you right in the mind of
each character, including the killer, as the story
unfolds. I'll definitely be on the hunt for the rest of the
books in the trilogy, SEE NO EVIL and FEAR NO EVIL.
The murder of eighteen-year-old Angi Vance was exceptionally
vile--her mouth was sealed with glue, an obscenity was
scrawled across her skin, and she was suffocated in a
garbage bag. The killing seems personal, so police detective
Carina Kincaid focuses her efforts on the victim's much
older ex-boyfriend, Steve Thomas. But without physical
evidence, Carina can't make a collar or a case. She also
can't stop Sheriff Nick Thomas, the prime suspect's brother,
from conducting his own unwelcome investigation.
Though Nick is still scarred and unsteady from a recent
confrontation with a serial killer, he's determined to prove
his brother's innocence. But his confidence is shaken when
he learns of Steve's dark side, and when a friend of the
murdered girl meets a similarly gruesome fate. With no time
to lose, Carina and Nick work together to trap a psychopath,
before another unlucky woman faces and unspeakable end.