Samantha Shaw is taking a big step forward in her relationship with sexy ex-cop and current-PI Gabe Pulizzi. They're in the process of knocking down the wall between her dating service, Heart Mates, and his new office. Sam is also in training to get her PI license, so she can work closer (and more legit) with Gabe. If this weren't enough for her to handle, she now has to deal with her grandfather, Barney, being accused by famous, hot-shot magician Shane Masters of hiring a hit man to kill him.

Shane, a former student of Barney's, has come to Lake Elsinore to stage one of his big productions that reveals other magician's tricks to the public. To say Shane is not well-liked by other magicians is an understatement. There are lots of people who'd like to see him dead. And several of them, also Barney's former students, have come to town, including Shane's ex-lover. So, you see, there's no shortage of suspects when Shane finally does end up murdered.

To complicate matters even further, Shane's beautiful assistant signs on with Sam's dating service and just happens to be Sam's secretary's long-lost, secret wife. Then Gabe's troubled brother shows up unexpectedly, and everybody's nerves are stretched to the limit.

Det. Logan Vance, who's always had it in for Sam, is hot on the case, doing whatever it takes to uncover the killer. Sam knows Barney didn't do it, but who did? With the suspect list including so many people she knows personally, it will take a lot of finesse and sharp wits to uncover the murderer. But Sam is up to the challenge, even if she hits a few snags along the way. She may screw up a few times, but she eventually gets things right, in more areas than one.

This latest installment in Apodaca's Samantha Shaw Mysteries is the best one yet. There are numerous exciting plot threads to add to the enjoyment of seeing this intrepid woman deal with life -- be it family, friends, lover, two careers, murder, etc. -- as she grows as a person. I can't wait for more!