Death Understood

Working undercover at the notorious Hiddwing Institute, Agent Denise Cleever assumes an inside position as their public relations manager. A group with strong racial and social prejudices, the powerful Hiddwing family will take any means necessary to instill their ultraconservative values into the heart and minds of those they consider essential to their cause.Cleever's risk is heightened when Rhys Hiddwing, one of the leaders recognizes her from somewhere in his past. Although threatened by the possibility of discovery, Cleever's role becomes paramount when a murder occurs that threatens national security. Inside the chambers of the organization, Cleever must also protect herself from those who openly suspect her intentions. Her task becomes more daunting when Becky Hiddwing, Rhys' sister, expresses a strong sexual attraction to Cleever. Struggling with her own beckoning desires, Cleever's resistance to the beautiful, charming Becky weakens. "Death Understood" is an action-packed mystery that is difficult to set aside. Claire McNab plots a story as well as she writes. In this reader's opinion, both are `superb.'

This is the first in a new series for author Claire McNab. It features Denise Cleever, an undercover agent for the Australian intelligence agency. She is placed at Hedwing Institute, which is run by one of Australia's most powerful families. She trying to gather evidence about the disappearance of the family patriarch and his sister seven years earlier in the Outback. As she gets closer and closer to the answer of whether the two met with a foul death or simply suffered an accident, she finds herself in increasing danger. This is welcome addition to the author's list of books. Agent Cleever is a likable character who does nothing rash, makes no obvious errors, but still finds herself in danger. In addition, and perhaps, as important, this is not a formulaic lesbian romance with a little mystery thrown in. This is a well plotted, well-written mystery featuring a lesbian as the protagonist in a genre that could use more of the same.