Killer Heat [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Killer Heat" the 3rd book in her Department 6 trilogy series by Brenda Novak.

Product Description

The bodies of seven women have been discovered in Skull Valley, Arizona. Jonah Young, a private security operative from Department 6, has been hired by the Yavapai County sheriff to assist in solving these murders. But Jonah's not prepared for the complications that arise when he's forced to work with a woman from his past, private investigator Francesca Moretti. 

Jonah betrayed Francesca ten years ago. She hasn't forgiven him and she's pretty sure she never will. But the woman she was hired to find has been murdered in exactly the same way as the seven in Skull Valley, so, Francesca has to work with Jonah. They quickly zero in on the most likely suspect — but questions remain. Questions they have to answer. Because if they bet on the wrong man, it might be the last thing they ever do….

Product Details

Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages

Publisher: Mira; 1 edition (September 28, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0778328317

ISBN-13: 978-0778328315

My Review:

Storyline:  Private investigator Francesca Moretti was hired to find missing April Bonner. The Chandler, Arizona sleuth follows a clue that takes her to a salvage yard near Prescott. There she sees April's corpse and has a run in with the owner Butch Vaughn who lured the unfortunate woman via the matchmaker Net persona of Harry Stratham. Thanks to a woman and child, who Francesca assumes is his family, she escapes.

Yavapai County Sheriff's office hires the Department 6 private security firm to investigate the gruesome murders of seven women found in Skull Valley. Agent Jonah Young leads the inquiry, but he is stunned when he sees Francesca. A decade ago, they went to the police academy together, but as they fell in love he betrayed her with her best friend.  With the worst possible ending -- a child was born from that night. When the cops find no body on Vaughn's property he files an assault charge against Francesca. As the two team up to clear Francesca's reputation, they target Butch as the only suspect, but lack proof; while the killer targets them.

Characters:  Francesca is a very tough, smart, independent and determined to prove that Butch killed all the women.  Hmm I thought she was a very complex person because I was wondering how she forgave her best friend for betraying her and not forgiving Jonah?  She totally blames him for the betrayal?  She's still quite upset and has never stopped loving him though she won't admit it!

Jonah is a very hunky, tough and a great investigator.  He was scared of his deep feelings for Francesca so he got drunk and sleep with her best friend.

Butch and his family are quite scary and I certainly wouldn't want to meet them!

Romance: I did like the romance between Jonah and Francesca because the second time around it went slowly, they found out they are different people now and Jonah waited until Francesca told him she forgave him.

Killer(s): The killer was quite scary and creative in their killing and no one saw them or heard anything. 

This book had alot of hair-raising moments and red herrings so you didn't figure out who the real culprit was until near the end.

4/5