Welcome to the world of Francesca Cahill, crime-solver extraordinaire. Francesca is no ordinary heroine. She refuses to bow to convention, wears her heart on her sleeve, and is determined to right the ills and injustices of society. Deadly Love begins Francesca’s mad escapades when the neighbors’ little boy is kidnapped right out of his bed during a society ball. It is January 18, 1902. Francesca stumbles across the ransome note just as she meets New York City’s newly appointed police commissioner, Rick Bragg. And Francesca can no more stay out of this investigation than she can stop herself from falling in love with the city’s determined and powerful police commissioner. But little does she know that on this singular night, her life will change forever.
Deadly Love by Brenda Joyce is the first in what looks like (from Joyce’s old Website) a series of seven novels (followed by Deadly Pleasure, Deadly Affairs, Deadly Desire, Deadly Caress, Deadly Promise, Deadly Illusions) featuring crime-solver extraordinaire, Francesa Cahill. I understand the series was left unfinished, and anyone who’s been in the publishing biz for any length of time understands exactly how these things happen. Not much an author can do when a publisher pulls the plug.
This was the first book I read on my iPod Touch as an ebook, and I bought it at the recommendation of Lauren Dane who’s talked it up on Twitter. This was only my second Joyce to read, as I read The Conqueror ages ago. I honestly can’t say if I finished the book because it held my interest (it did take me two weeks to complete but year’s end was busy), or because I was determined to read a whole book electronically on the device @cuppacafe gave me for Christmas. My first ebook to read was Dan Brown’s Angels & Demons, which I read eons ago on my Rocketbook.
Joyce balances a lot of characters and a lot of plot threads and does it well. I followed Fran’s sleuthing logic and was with her every step as Joyce lays out the list of suspects without tipping her hand. I might’ve wanted more on this character or that (such as with Sarah Channing), but I was given what I needed for the story’s purposes. (I can be greedy that way.) I love early 1900’s New York, and enjoyed seeing it brought to life. If I didn’t have a gazillion unread books on my shelves, I’d probably buy the next one, and I may do so anyway should the mood strike. If there had been more of a romance, even a continuing one (I knew going in this wasn’t a romance novel), I’d definitely be on board, but this one taste will hold me for now.
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It was a while ago, that I read one of the books in the series… I kinda let it go at the time because I missed out on getting the other books… I always wanted to know which guy she ended up with…
As for her other books, I have enjoyed a bunch of them…
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I don’t mind a love interest playing out over a series, and going forward, I would be happy to know in advance this wasn’t finished. It was a fun read!
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I have read them all and enjoyed them. I like the mystery with romantic undertones. The last of the series you do see who she picks but I won’t tell :)
I hear she is looking to publish some more of this series but needs support.
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That would be great if she got to continue the series! I will probably grab the second at least, keep teasing myself until I read all of them, LOL!
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I just read from her newsletter update that there will be a 9th Deadly book(Deadly Vows, tentative title.)
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Well there ya go! How awesome is that!
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Wheeee! Love this series and I had such a fangirl moment when I learned she was able to continue the series with at least one more book.
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I don’t know what’s up with her website, because you can get to her old website through the new one, and that’s where I found all the books. I was lost trying to find them on the new website. Don’t think they’re there.
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I have read Deadly Desire from this series and have two of Brendas’ new books to read now and have 2 others that I have read. I don’t remember exactly what the DD book was about but don’t remember Not liking it so must be OK. Will have to go back and refresh my memory. I have been reading for over 50 yrs and started compiling list in 06 trying to pick up the books before whenever I saw at book store or on line, therefore don’t remember every book i have read. LOL
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I used to work with a woman who carried a printed spreadsheet in her purse for shopping so she wouldn’t buy things she’d already read!
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I have not read these but after reading the comments, I am going to go out get this one. I feel like I am missing something
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Debra, hope you enjoy them. I thought the plot of this one was well done.
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Looks good to me adding it to my list of books to get.I have some of her other books and i like them.
sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com
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I’m not a big historical reader, though I have read one other of hers, so I hope you enjoy it!