Secret Admirer

Amanda Stevens continues her "Gallagher Justice" miniseries with "Secret Admirer," a sizzling mystery and even better romance. Detective Tony Gallagher is the black sheep of the Chicago Police Department. Years ago, he was implicated in the murder of his girlfriend. Recently, he was cleared of taking excessive action against a suspect. A true loner, he has been assigned a new partner, Detective Eve Barrett. Eve has more than a few secrets, including a secret crush she has harbored ever since they grew up together in the same neighborhood. Time has only increased her attraction for him. When a series of murders begin to occur, with Tony shaping up to be the prime suspect, can Eve trust her judgment, or her heart?"Secret Admirer" is another wonderful Stevens tale, with her usual strong hero and heroine and unique storytelling style. What I liked most was that while it was a romantic mystery, it felt like more than that. Stevens provides the mystery and the love story, but also spends more time fleshing out the secondary characters than we are used to. They are not just one-note characters whose only purpose is to look suspicious or to support the leads. The author has created a true community of Chicagoans, all with pasts and complicated relationships. It makes for a richer tale and more interesting puzzle, which compensates for a somewhat slower pace than some of her other books. Although hardcore mystery readers are likely to be tipped off to the killer's identity long before intended and the ending is a bit too neat, Stevens does deliver at least one very clever red herring sure to lead some readers astray. Still, the love story is the best part of all, as our heroine finally wins the man she has loved for so long. Tony will appeal to readers who like darker, bad boy heroes, and Eve is his equal in every way. The romance in book one was more sweet and gradually discovered. Tony and Eve's romance, like the characters, is more fiery and passionate, and readers should not be disappointed.Anyone starting the "Gallagher Justice" miniseries (#549 The Littlest Witness, # 557 Forbidden Lover) in the middle will be happy to know "Secret Admirer" stands on its own, a book new readers can pick up without feeling lost at all. It's a good thing, too. "Secret Admirer" is a book few will want to miss.

The second book in the Gallaher Justice series, Secret Admirer carries a connection to The Littlest Witness, yet has its own story of romance and suspense. I did not suspect who the villain was; it kept me guessing right up to the end. I am eager to read Forbidden Lover, the third book in this trilogy.