Endgame

I've read better and I've read worse. This book is the first of a triology about Last Chance Inc., a group of specialists who meet up to solve some of the country's most dangerous problems - like bombings, snipers, murders, etc. In this first book, Madison and Gabriel are the main characters; Madison is a criminal profiler and Gabriel (Gabe) is a member of the Last Chance team who doesn't relish the thought of working alongside a profiler. Madison, Gabe, and the rest of the assembled team have the task of finding out who is responsible for a series of murders that are linked to the president and his relations with China. Of course, being a romantic suspense, Madison and Gabe fall in love along the way. There were not any `exciting twists' or any comedic moments either - this was a straight forward book with a fairly good plot and some action too. I would recommend it, but only if you like action to take a front seat to romance.

Dee Davis' ENDGAME has all the elements to create a firecracker read: deception, secrets, sex and murder. Take a girl determined to prove herself without her family's riches and connections. Add a bad boy who doesn't like to play by the rules. Then have them attempt to play nice as equal team leaders...of the same team. The tension between alpha-male Gabe Roarke and the tenacious Madison Harper causes the pages to simmer in your hand, and their verbal sparring will have you smirking as you read. With her excellent flair at creating twists and turns, ENDGAME has a slew of characters with more secrets than a teenager's diary. If you like romantic suspense, snatch this up. After all, there's nothing in the world quite as exciting as sex mixed with international espionage.

FBI Behavioral Science Unit Chief Walter Blythe informs subordinate profiler Madison Harper that she will co-head a special task force that the White House has sanctioned at the request of her godfather, business mogul Cullen Pulaski. At the same time that Madison objects because she has worked hard to prove herself without using family connections, CIA deep undercover operative Gabriel Roarke is yanked to be her co-leader though he was working on a case for two years in the Keys. He believes that his co-chief is rich man's candy; she figures he is the typical brainless macho over the top warrior. Cullen explains to the two unhappy draftees that he believes someone is killing the members of the elite American Business Consortium, but making it look like an accident or a natural death. Madison brings on an IT guru who pays dividends immediately when he finds a deadly pattern; Gabriel brings on two field operatives that he trusts. As they work together, the initial disdain and contempt turns into respect and admiration before becoming love as each willingly would risk their lives to save the other from a killer who seems one step or two ahead of them. This exciting police procedural romance is an intriguing tale more so because of Madison's abilities than that of Gabriel. The motive for the homicides comes up very late and seems off kilter, but the investigation is fun to follow especially as Madison and Gabriel begrudgingly initially realize how wrong first impressions can be as they soon depend, trust and love one another. Fans of suspense thrillers will want to read ENDGAME, a fine tale of love and murder. Harriet Klausner

Madison Harper is one of the FBI's top criminal profilers. She has just wrapped up one big case and two others pending, but her boss puts an end to those plans. Her other cases are being delegated elsewhere. Why? Cullen Pulaski is her godfather, her friend, and one of the richest and well known men in America. He is a big player in the American Business Consortium. The accord (consortium) was formed in the wake of 9/11. It is an attempt at communication and cooperation among leading industrial bigwigs internationally. Negotiations with the Chinese are almost complete. However, Cullen believes that someone is killing off the key players of the accord. Cullen went to the White House and got approval to make a task force to investigate his hypothesis. He chose Madison Harper to share command with Gabriel "Gabe" Roarke (CIA) in gathering the people to make up the task force and head it. Gabe did not like being pulling out of his undercover mission after three years of work on it. Yet when Cullen wants something he normally gets it. And this time, he got it. Gabe also did not like the fact that he had to share command with a "profiler", and a woman at that. Without Madison's permission, he calls in a couple men to be in the force. Too bad if she did not like it. But he never expected to meet Madison and find out that she not only feels the same way about him, but she had also recruited a couple of people without his permission. Too bad if HE did not like it. The two obviously get off to a bad start. Sparks fly for more than one reason. However, people are dying and the accord is in jeopardy. They must work together to figure out it out quickly, because the killer is hitting closer to home. ***** This is the first of a trilogy. The next book will be "Enigma", due for release in June 05. The last title will be "Exposure", due for release in September 05. The author, Dee Davis, shows her sneaky side in this novel. The killer has been killing for close to three years and tags six victims before anyone even THINKS that there may be a pattern. Just as I thought I knew who was doing what and why, the author throws in startling obstacles and I go stumbling along. Dee Davis is masterful in keeping her readers on the edge of their seats. Excellent! ***** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.