The Trigger

The basis of Harlequin's CODE RED Series is "ordinary people, extraordinary circumstances." Nothing could exhibit this better than Jacqueline Diamond's contribution of THE TRIGGER. Even if you haven't read the other books in the CODE RED series-which, by the way, I have!-you won't go wrong picking up a copy of THE TRIGGER. Suspense, intrigue, sexual tension, and a couple who at times make you want to smack them silly, this book has it all. Sergeant Nora Keyes is Courage Bay 's Bomb Squad Specialist. Called in to investigate any crime scene that shows evidence of a bomb-one that hasn't been detonated, or one that's caused damage-Nora's been busy working the case of what is quickly turning out to be a serial bomber. Someone has been planting explosive devices in a cell phone and detonating them from a remote distance. In Nora's opinion, it's her job to find out who the perpetrator is. Unfortunately, Sam Prophet, Courage Bay 's Arson Investigator, feels that finding the bomber is his job. After all, the detonation of the cell phone bombs cause fire, and fire is his business. When Nora keeps showing up-unannounced and unwanted at what he considers to be his crime scene-the temperature of the left-behind ashes and burnt-out buildings aren't the only thing that's boiling. Nora and Sam had been paired together during a training seminar shortly after Nora's move to Courage Bay from Los Angeles , and they both found out the hard way that oil and water do not mix. Sam prefers facts, painstakingly linking together evidence to follow the natural order of events. Nora, on the other hand, has a built-in sense of how things work, and she has no qualms about seeking out the truth based on nothing but her gut feelings. Needless to say, their very different styles of following a case to its end have Nora and Sam butting heads. This time, though, their bosses have conspired to throw them together, working as partners on a case that has the small town of Courage Bay shaking in terror. A bomb, on any given day, is scary enough, but when it's hidden in a cellphone-of which most of the population owns one-scary turns into a nightmare. As Sam and Nora butt heads, battle a spark of attraction that can't be beaten down with a fire hose, and work to find the serial bomber before someone else becomes a victim, you'll be drawn into Ms. Diamond's story. THE TRIGGER is an intriguing blend of real-life characters, harrowing situations, an evil protagonist, and the search to find justice-before it's too late.

Finally, a book that doesn't toss the hero and heroine into matrimony two weeks after they meet. I noticed an inordinate number of Code Reds had couples who had split up and reunited through their experience in the book as a way around time constraints. The whole approach this book took was different. The story begins when, after the latest in a series of bombings, the police department decides to pair its bomb squad specialist, Nora Keyes, with the fire department's arson investigator, Sam Prophet. Nor and Sam are opposites-she's Oscar and he's Felix. At first, sparks fly and they argue over who's boss. Their professionalism soon has them working as a team, however, and they develop respect for one another's talents. As they track down clues, they also develop a strong attraction to one another. They have a few heated moments, but decide to ignore their feelings and do their jobs. One night, just before Nora faces danger that could take her life, they give in and burn up the sheets. They don't have time to moon over it, as danger looms. But, when both face close calls, they realize just how much they enjoy each other and how much they want to be together. But...Sam doesn't propose! He asks her to move in, and a quick mention of their wedding six months down the road wraps it up. Nora and Sam are delightful characters. Nora likes excitement and danger and drives a sports car. She fears nothing. She's also cool and in control, wasting no time dithering about her feelings. They're there, and she deals with them. Sam is sweet, handsome, and wonderful. What else do you need? The mystery progressed nicely along the way, too, as Sam and Nora go about interviewing people and researching files to solve the case. It all seemed pretty first-class until it was all over and Sam wondered how they could have caught their serial bomber earlier. Suddenly, I thought, "They probably could have solved it the day they connected the three companies if they'd accessed the civil court files for the past five years-a matter of public record-and looked up plaintiffs in lawsuits against the companies involved." But...I deal with civil lawsuits at work every day so maybe my mind makes that leap faster than others. It was one flaw, and one that appeared at the end of the book. Nora is definitely my favorite Code Red heroine so far, and she had tough competition with Shannon and Jackie. This book has definitely restored my interest in the happenings in Courage Bay.