At Close Range

At Close Range by Jessica Andersen Harlequin Intrigue # 911 - April 2006 Bear Claw Creek Crime Lab trilogy - Book 2 Months have passed since the kidnapping case had been closed, but is it really over? There's a murder with chilling similarities to the skeletal remains discovered with one of the previous kidnapped victims. FBI criminologist Seth Varitek had helped with the original task force when the BCCFD had been under attack. Now the Chief has called him back in, and he knows his local counterpart, Cassie Dumont, won't welcome him. Though all the new investigators have had to work hard to fit in, Cassie's chip on her shoulder has made everything even more difficult. Finding Seth at her crime scene, only adds to Cassie's chip, and while she sees the need for his help she insists that this is her territory and he's there only as support. It becomes clear that the new murder is definitely linked to the previous kidnapping case, especially when the murderer makes an attempt on Cassie's life and his next victim looks like she could have been Cassie's younger sister. Seth doesn't want to feel protective of Cassie, but flash backs to his wife's murder years before keep interfering in his concentration and he finds himself trying to control every move she makes. Cassie isn't about to be controlled; she's a cop, she can look after herself. Another gripping thriller from Ms. Andersen. Cassie grew up motherless with four overly protective older brothers. And after a scarring relationship before the Academy, she still has some self-esteem issues that she hides behind her tough don't-mess-with-me attitude. Seth's uncomfortable with Cassie's fearless approach to police work; she's too much like him, too much like his dead wife. But finding the killer and trying to stay alive, these two manage to reach deep inside and discover they are not their pasts and they can move on together. Nicely written. Great set up for the next book, Maya's story. :D Bear Claw Creek Crime Lab trilogy ... Ricochet - Harlequin Intrigue # 893 - January 2006 At Close Range - Harlequin Intrigue # 911 - April 2006 Rapid Fire - Harlequin Intrigue # 928 - July 2006

I am thoroughly enjoying this set of books. Cassie Dumont - another insecure ego driven female. Seth Varitek - with emotional trauma and poses a threat to Cassie's statis. Fitzroy O'Malley - former crime lab tech., is he really fishing? Alissa Wyatt - she cuts short her vacation with detective Tucker McDermott to come support Cassie. Maya Cooper - another of the three friends running the crime lab seems to be developing problems of her own. Bradford Croft - dead, but was he alone in his murder spree? Nevada Barnes -- another question mark. Chief Barry - will he ever get his officers and the women of the new crime lab to work together? Great cast of characters - a plot that keeps moving forward with enough questions left unanswered - dead bodies appear without grossing you out too much. Excellent writing -- HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - M -- hormones and PMS still used to hold the characters together. - set will be a keeper.

At Close Range was just as good as the first installment "Ricochet". I liked Seth and Cassie. The mystery/thriller is closing in on the 3rd 'bad guy'. Ms Andersen is going to make us wait on that one. I am actually amazed at how much I want to know if my guess is correct! It's a quick read. One good thing about these types of books is that the character study better be right on or the reader will lose interest. No problem there. The cover is excellent. Not a fan of people on the covers of these paperbacks, but this one was intelligent and apt. Perfect casting. :D It was exciting, devious, sparks flew! Sensuality = 3. Its a good feeling ending and entertaining. Worth the read!

Bear Claw Creek has been quiet after a recent spate of kidnappings were solved and the perpetrator was killed by the BCCPD. But the quiet is short-lived. A dead body turns up that appears to be a ritualistic killing w/ possible ties to an old crime. The local crime lab is temporarily short-handed so the police chief calls in FBI Agent Seth Varitek to assist Cassie Dumont in processing the evidence. Varitek and Dumont had worked together on the earlier case. Although there was a certain chemistry between the two, Dumont was less than pleased w/ the arrangement. She and the other two members of the lab--Alissa Wyatt and Maya Cooper--had been brought in by the chief to replace the newly (and unexpectedly) retired Fitz O'Malley, and had been greeted by the other members of the PD w/ negative feelings ranging from antipathy to outright hostility. Dumont, the most prickly and least liked of the three, is concerned that calling on the FBI is sending the wrong message and jeopardizes the future of the lab. On his part, Varitek is unwillingly drawn to Dumont. His personal history makes him believe he needs to stay away from women w/ difficult personalities who put themselves in dangerous situations--and Dumont fits that description to a tee. As the case heats up, Dumont becomes a target and, w/ Wyatt and Cooper out of pocket, Varitek is her only backup and ally. The case itself is complicated by the possibility of multiple perpetrators, links to older unsolved crimes, and planted evidence/red herrings. Although some of the pieces are tied up in this story, the final resolution won't be revealed until Maya Cooper's story in book #3 of the series, Rapid Fire. Like the first book, Ricochet, this is another story w/ all the right elements. I liked Varitek and Dumont, both separately and together, much more than I thought I would based on the first book--a tribute to Ms. Andersen's depictions of the respective pasts that shaped them and their current relationship as a couple/partners in trying circumstances. The mystery is also a strong element. It suffers ever so slightly from being the middle piece in a 3-part puzzle and I'm not sure how well it would read as a stand-alone. As part of a series, tho, it is well-handled and moves the story forward to the upcoming conclusion. Ms. Andersen has dropped hints throughout the first two books regarding the possible identity of the mastermind behind the crimes and I'm eager to see if my guess is correct. Even if I'm right, tho, I can't guess at the motivation or backstory so I'm on tenterhooks to see how Ms. Andersen draws everything to a close. Great fun and highly recommended.