Dead on the Dance Floor

This is book number 2 in a series and one of Heather Graham's better mystery romances. Quinn is great and can laugh at himself when he is trying to learn to dance and is truly a good big brother to Doug. Shannon, Quinn's love interest is a bit stiffer and tends to be somewhat dense at times but still is likeable. People who inhabit the dance studio are interesting, not only the instructors but also the students. While there is too much gossip and fussing among the dancers, it is still an entertaining book that I recommend.

A long time fan of Ms. Graham I'm always amazed by her creativity and the setting that she has chosen for this read is not only original but fun. I admit to not knowing a Samba from a rumba except that they are indeed dances that sound like a lot of fun. As a result the reader is introduced to a lifestyle that is rather popular but unfamiliar to many and the perfect setting for this fast-paced romantic suspense. Shannon McKay runs a dance studio that has been not having the best of luck as far as it clients goes, two different woman fall dead from an overdose of drugs. Are they related or two different problems with the same sad outcome? She is warned at a dance competition "she's next." Next for what though? Quinn O'Casey as been asked by his brother to investigate the death of dance star Lara Trudeau. He has had a personal relationship with her and doesn't think that she would kill herself. Doug knows in his brother will be able to get to the bottom of it...especially when he introduces the fact that one of Quinn's last cases may have had a connection to Lara's death. Quinn reluctantly agrees and finds himself taking dance lessons with Shannon being his teacher. He is attracted to her and doesn't know if he should act on his feelings or shelve them until he can cross her off of his list of suspects. It's a race against time before a killer strikes again. Will he be able to figure out who is killing the dancers before Shannon becomes the next victim? This was a real fast-paced read that was entertaining and different. Although there are quiet a few secondary characters I don't think that it's so many that the reader can't keep track. Plenty of personalities is what keeps this from being too technical or bogged down. Ms. Graham is an author that always delivers and this is a read that you won't want to miss!

I enjoy reading Heather Graham mystery novels. They have unique situations, characters and plots. There is humor and human interest and "Dead on the Dance Floor" is no exception. It was very interesting to enter the world of professional ballroom dancing and to meet various personalities as you might expect in the real world. Ms. Graham did a great job on research and making the story come to life. I enjoyed the character development on both primary and secondary characters in the book and wish there could be a sequel/follow-up book on them! A fun read and wonderful surprises!

When beautiful dancer Lara Trudeau dies while dancing of a drug overdose, the police are quick to write it off as another tragic accident of perscription drug abuse. But one cop isn't so sure--and he gets his brother, ex-FBI profiler and private investigator Quinn O'Casey to look into the case. The obvious suspect is another dancer, Shannon Mackay. Shannon has lost her partner and her lover to Lara several years earlier and an 'accident' on the dance floor had cost her her competitive career. But Quinn likes Shannon--likes her a lot. Of course, there's really only one thing he's sure of--his own judgment is fatally flawed. Quinn puts Lara's case together with several other drug-related deaths that seem connected to the dance studio where Lara and Shannon worked. It could be coincidence, but Quinn doesn't believe in coincidence. He signs up for dance lessons, starts to fall for Shannon, and learns that she is chased by her own demons--or maybe by something far more real than mythical demons. It's tough enough solving a case, but both Shannon and Quinn have major issues they need to work for before they can deal with the attraction that flows between them like, well, like a dance. Author Heather Graham writes convincingly of the world of ballroom dance and of sultry southern Florida. Damaged but hunky Quinn makes a great foil for frightened but spunky Shannon. Their issues parallel and they find that working through together gives each of them strength to admit their true goals. Of course, before any kind of long-term romance can develop, they'll have to stay alive. And someone seems intent on making sure that doesn't happen. DEAD ON THE DANCE FLOOR is an enjoyable romance.

Having attained first prize in every ballroom competition that she competed in, everyone agrees that Lara Trudeau is the dancing queen though all agree that the Prima Donna is a detestable nasty egomaniac. Currently, she is expected to triumph again as she vies for the trophy of the Universe of Champions event. However, this time during one of her classy moves Lara abruptly dies fittingly on the floor where she reigned as the monarch of dance.Quinn O'Casey heads the investigation into the ballroom dance queen death that seems so suspicious. However, he goes undercover to learn what he can about the regulars, employees and owner of the Moonlight Sonata Dance Studio. His deepest interest is in the owner Shannon MacKay, but he is not sure if he wants to handcuff her as a criminal or as the woman he is falling in love with.Police procedural romance readers will take great delight with the terrific DEAD ON THE DANCE FLOOR. The story line hooks the audience from the first step until the final pirouette. Because Lara is universally loathed, Quinn has too many suspects to contend with, but Shannon is the most obvious of all. Adding to his tension is he wants to not only believe in her innocence he wants to dance with her preferably in the bedroom not the ballroom. Shannon is his ideal partner so that the audience obtains a fine story that in many ways feels like a modernization of the classic film Laura.Harriet Klausner