Unexpected Outcome (Harlequin Superromance, No 1048)

Robert Haine and business partner Larry Benzer believe someone is sabotaging their company, Four Corners Imports. Desperate to stop the destruction to their reputations and the waste of precious money used to cover arson and losses, Robert hires former New York Police Officer turned private investigator Dana Morancy. Dana agrees with Robert's assessment that the sabotage is most likely an inside job. She explains about her cover, Dana Mayfield, organizational design consultant hired by Robert to look into the "run of bad luck". As Dana works closely on uncovering the identity of the criminal, she falls in love with Robert's nephew who reciprocates her feelings. However, family secrets once revealed will make it impossible for the sleuth and the finance manager to share a permanent relationship. UNEXPECTED OUTCOME is an exciting Manhattan romantic suspense novel that is at its best when the story line focuses on the undercover investigation. When the plot spins off into a genetics issue, it loses steam, as many readers will believe the tale ran thirty pages too long. Dana is a great rounded heroine struggling to overcome her belief that she failed herself and her father when she quit NYPD. Noah breaks the image of the bottom line accountant by actively becoming Dana's partner on the case and courting the female sleuth. Together they are dynamic leaving readers with the entertaining pleasure expected from a Dawn Stewardson novel.Harriet Klausner