Deadly Attraction

Following the exposure of suspects in the plot to assassinate President Lincoln, Mirinda Caldwell rushes to Washington, D.C. for the mission of a lifetime. Her younger brother, Bryce has been named a key suspect and is due to hang. Out of love for her brother and the unrelenting hope that perhaps, rescuing her brother will move her parents to show at least some kindness, she sets about to free him. Day by day she ventures to each person who might be of assistance to her cause. With each encounter, she comes away more and more desperate as none will come to her aid. Adding to the anguish she feels at her inability to help Bryce, are several attempts on Mirinda’s life. At almost each turn, Major Heath Falstaff comes to her rescue.

Major Heath Falstaff is bound by duty and love of country to see that Bryce’s sentence is carried out. Despite his growing attraction to Mirinda, he is committed to his oath. As different men in his chain of command die by a vile poison, he begins to piece together the elements that point to one person who is committing these crimes. He becomes more and more torn between believing in Mirinda’s ability to kill and his growing feelings for her. With each attempt on her life, he finds himself falling deeper and deeper for her. When Mirinda finally helps Bryce to escape, Heath pursues her with the single-minded determination to bring the siblings back to stand trial.

Mystery, suspense and a love story that will make you sigh are only a few of the elements that will keep readers of DEADLY ATTRACTION enthralled. Ms. Hinchy-Wertman has the talent to not only tell a well done historical, as evidenced by her other stories set in times gone by, she offers readers a compelling “who done it.” This reviewer was pleased to be caught off guard by the threads of the murders that are woven into the plot in intricate detail even the most astute crime solver will not see the clues laid out before them. As each new character is introduced and their story told, all have a good reason for committing the murders. Even when the culprit is revealed, it seems impossible that Bryce could survive.

At first Mirinda seemed a tad boring, yet that goes to the very heart of Ms. Hinchy-Wertman’s skill in telling a tale. She lulls the reader into complacency and then, as each attack occurs she reels her readers in. Mirinda is soon seen as a strong heroine and likeable character.

Heath is, in a word, hot. He’s got it all, integrity, ethics, smarts and oh yeah, looks. When the author describes his descent into a nearby river, the image of his body is clearly brought to life. The visual is a definite face fanning moment! Add to that his sense of right, he’s a keeper.

There is a well-done balance between the mystery Ms. Hinchy-Wertman weaves and the love story between Heath and Mirinda. Each told in just the right dose. If you have no other book on your summer reading list—or reading list for this year, DEADLY ATTRACTION should top the list. Even if you are not a fan of Civil War/Western historicals, the mystery and suspense will more than please.

June 2007