Something Very Wicked

Former playboy and eldest son, Ethan Galen, is on a mission to win back the respectability for which the family was once known. Plagued by innuendo in newspaper reportings of his siblings’ antics, his job is not an easy one. A little good publicity around now would be oh so helpful.

Leaving her old life behind after the divorce from a manipulative man, Cora Dearing has moved to New Orleans in pursuit of her dream to become an investigative reporter. There is the small matter of her boss at the New Orleans Times and his determination to give her assignments that focus on writing feel good pieces for the Sunday Magazine in the paper. However, Cora is convinced that she could change his mind if she could just get in on a serious story.

An attempt to get to know the beautiful feature writer of their local newspaper concurs with a stay at a charming bayou bed-and-breakfast where Ethan needs to look into a bit of business, but when one of the guests goes missing the scene for romance turns into something very different.

Readers will be charmed with this languorous and smooth romantic suspense. Set in post Katrina New Orleans, one is given glimpses of the continuing aftermath as well as the appeal of this city. The food, the surroundings, and the eccentricities of the characters combine to draw you deep into the storyline.

The author has created an interesting hero in Ethan with his teasing, his manners, and his unusual turns of phrase. He is absolutely endearing with his strong sense of loyalty and his reigned in outrage to needling by the beloved old housekeeper Jeanette.

Cora is a likeable heroine. Her actions and efforts to rise in her journalistic ambitions felt realistic. One thoroughly enjoyed reading as she tried to keep her integrity while pursuing her story and exploring a relationship with the very attentive Ethan.

Secondary characters add flavor but it must be said that one or two of these were less convincing in their roles. Being an old friend of one’s boss is no excuse for being inept.

The mysterious disappearance of a not much mourned woman grows somewhat brooding with another death and then another. Truth has a way of coming out and the trickle of small details slowly brought into focus is a delicious way for the author to have served SOMETHING VERY WICKED.

December 2006