Customer Reviews

Deadly Illusions (MIRA Tradesize S.)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Society sleuth Francesca Cahill should be bursting with happiness and glee: she's engaged to suave, rakish Calder Harte, who appreciates her intelligence and independence, and who has promised not to stand in her way. Except that circumstances and people keep trying to put a damper on her happiness. To begin with her father isn't too pleased with her engagement, and has only reluctantly agreed to it at her mother's cajoling. And then there is Calder's ex-mistress, Daisy, who is determined to drive a wedge between Francesca and Calder. And then there is Calder's jealously for his half-brother, police commissioner Rick Bragg, who Francesca was once enamored with. So that when Francesca begins to work closely with Bragg in order to nab a mad man who is attacking poor Irishwomen, her relationship with her fiance begins to feel the strains of jealousy and suspicion. Francesca is at her wit's end as to how she should cope with Calder's jealousy and the machinations of others. But in the meantime, there is a mad man to stop...

This latest Francesca Cahill was a fast and undemanding read, more for fans of the series than anything else, and perfect for the ultimate bus/train/'plane trip. The mystery subplot held few surprises even though it was a rather well conceived one -- longtime mystery addicts might be able to spot the mad killer at once, however. No, one does not really read the Francesca Cahill "Deadly" novels for the mystery at hand. Rather, one reads them in order to catch up with how various character are faring: is Francesca really over Rick Bragg, and is she happy with her engagement to the dangerously rakish Calder Hart? Will Rick make an attempt to mend his marriage with his estranged wife, Leigh Ann? Will Francesca's brother, Evan, marry his mistress, Bartolla? Or will he finally admit his feelings for Irish seamstress, Maggie Kennedy? And what will happen between artist Sarah Canning and Rick Bragg's other half brother, Rourke Bragg? How Brenda Joyce weaves in these intricate relationships into the mysteries at hand is what makes thsi series so fascinating. She makes us care for the characters and glad that some of the relationships (at least) are working out. I know that I'm rather glad that Francesca has realised her true feelings for Calder Harte -- he was always, in my opinion anyway, her perfect match. And how the murder subplot works to highlight these relationships is what makes eading "Deadly Illusions" so enjoyable. All in all, a pleasant undemanding read.

"Deadly Illusions" is author Brenda Joyce's seventh installment in the historical mystery/romance series featuring New York City debutante Francesca Cahill. Ms. Cahill, society bluestocking, and heiress to a considerable fortune, has done remarkably well so far as an amateur sleuth, NYC's first female private investigator and a major novelty in her chosen profession. It is only 1902, after all, and women still have seventeen more years before the United States Congress and Senate approve the 19th Amendment, giving them the right to vote. Francesca has solved the case of the City Strangler, the brutal Cross Killer mystery, two child kidnappings, several murders, captured a stalker, discovered the ringleaders of a child prostitution ring and had them put behind bars, restoring the young girls to their families, and thus has earned the right to call herself "Crime-Solver Extraordinaire," as printed on her Tiffany embossed business cards. Of course she has had the assistance of her dear friend and former love, police commissioner Rick Bragg, to teach her the ropes. Unfortunately for the nascent romance, Rick's estranged wife, Leigh Ann, returned from a lengthy stay in Europe, and nipped it in the bud.

In "Deadly Promises," the novel prior to this one, Leigh Ann is crippled in an accident and, extremely depressed, she has given up on starting life anew with her husband - just when Rick realizes he never stopped loving her. Calder Hart, Rick's half brother, wealthy art connoisseur, rogue and rake, is bent on reforming his ways now that he is engaged to marry Francesca. However, he has serious misgivings about the marriage as his feelings for his fiancee intensify. At times he is convinced that he is not good enough for her, a sentiment shared by Andrew Cahill, Fran's father, Rick Bragg, Daisy Jones, Calder's former mistress who is out for revenge, and various other members of society. Francesca believes in Calder despite his past and realizes she loves him. Clearly the two are an eccentric match made in heaven. Not only do they share a firm friendship, she is Calder's first and only friend, but sparks fly when they're together.

While the ever addictive soap opera continues, our amateur sleuth discovers that three working class Irish women have had their throats cut, with a dull knife, by a madman newspaper reporters have dubbed The Slasher. Two of the victims survived but one was stabbed and strangled to death. Maggie Kennedy, Fran's friend and the mother of young assistant detective Joel Kennedy, is an acquaintance and neighbor of the three women, and is thought to be in danger also. She fits the victim profile. Of course Ms. Cahill is determined to catch the killer before he strikes again.

Miss Joyce's storyline is not as strong here as it has been in the last two installments of the Cahill/Bragg/Hart mystery/suspense romances. As always, the mysteries are secondary to the various relationships between the fascinating cast of characters. However, not too much is going on this time around, and the constant repetition of various predicaments, especially Calder's and Francesca's jealousy of each other, and the constant sparring and bickering among the overly competitive half brothers is tiring and melodramatic. This case is one of the least interesting in the series, and is repetitious also. Women who live in New York City's tenements are being victimized and a woman hating perpetrator is on the loose. So, what else is new? As a matter of fact, many of the author's male villains hate women, including the police chief. I would like to see some variation in character flaws and criminal behavior.

I must admit I am still hooked on the series, the developing characters and their ongoing, individual stories. These books actually seems more like soap opera episodes and installments in a serial novel rather than stand alone romance/mysteries. If you are interested, I would suggest reading the previous Francesca Cahill novels before "Deadly Illusions," as this is a continuing saga and extremely addictive. I warn you there are many flaws, but I have just finished seven books - so what else can I say?

Come meet these personages, if you have the patience, and become involved in their lives, loves, traumas, mysteries, and the delightful historical setting of 1902-1903 New York City, with its society balls and glitter, the tenements and roughs, gambling halls and beautiful, exotic call girls. Seth Low, the mayor, was recently elected on a reform platform to fight the Tammany Hall machine, and the police commissioner he appointed took some of the actions the fictional Rick Bragg has taken and faced many of the same difficult issues Bragg faces in attempting to reform the terribly corrupt police department. If Ms Joyce takes the series past 1903, Rick will be out of a job as the next administration is a "Tammany beast." Perhaps, Bragg will use the opportunity to run for Senator. ENJOY!! I am.
JANA

In 1902 Manhattan, the Slasher has attacked three working class Irish women; the first two survived the ordeal, but the third victim is dead. Fearing for her friend Maggie Kennedy who lives in the same neighborhood that is under assault, heiress sleuth Francesca Cahill begins to investigate the vicious crimes over the objection of her fiancé successful businessman Calder Hart. He does not want her in harm's way or hanging out with his rival his half-brother married Police Commissioner Rick Bragg because Francesca and Rick were once thought to be in love.

Still Francesca is an independent person and no one, even her future spouse, will tell her what she cannot do. She makes inquiries and visits the crime scenes where she runs into Rick. Suspects are everywhere especially estranged spouses and fiancés, but in spite of the combined efforts of Rick and Francesca the Slasher strikes again. To catch this killer Francesca knows she must be the bait.

The seventh Cahill historical mystery provides Brenda Joyce's audience with a wonderful lamplight look at Manhattan at the turn of the century. The story line is fast-paced but loaded with intricate family relationships that bring to life the key players especially the half-brothers, Rick's wife, and the heroine. The who-done-it is fun as the suspects seem plentiful and the moving forward on relational fronts provides a freshness somewhat lacking in the last two books, but DEADLY ILLUSIONS is at its best lighting up 1902 New York City.

Harriet Klausner

I have been hooked on this series since the beginning. It was very hard to wait for this novel, but it was worth waiting for. Fran Cahill is the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in NY at the turn of the century. She is engaged to an even wealthier and more powerful man. They have a bit of a conflict over the fact that she had been in love with his biggest rival, his half brother, who just happens to be the Police Commissioner of NYC. Fran and Rick have solved quite a few crimes together, and still work together, in spite of strain over her recent engagement, and his injured wife.

This latest story involves a killer called the Slasher, who kills young women of Irish descent. One of the victims lives near Fran's friend Maggie Kennedy's home. She fears that Maggie and another acquaintance from a previous case, could become victims also. The murder mystery is full of twists and turns and possible murderers. Bragg's problems within the Police Department continue to evolve, Chief Farr is a definite problem. Calder's reputation endangers the engagement, Mr. Cahill is very much against it. Daisy Jones, the former mistress causes alot of trouble also. All in all this one is one of the best of the series. I couldn't put it down once I started it, unfortunately, it will be a long time before the next one.

I have the whole series by Brenda Joyce with Francesca Cahill, absolutely love them!! This one was the best by far, I won't give it away, you just have to read it. The ending was so good, I just don't have the words to explain how much. Also, don't miss out on the rest of the series. Francesca Cahill is a very spirited, level-headed character, trying be a detective during a period in time when that was very much a man's territory. This whole series is such a refreshing change from your every day romance novel. All I can say is, if you're looking for a good suspense, mystery and romance all wrapped up into one book, this is it.

I am so glad that Brenda Joyce has continued this series.

I love the characters and the way she writes.

Loved this book, great romance novel with a little thriller on the side. The romance between Calder and Francesca is the best there is, I adore how they grew on each other and having Rick Bragg on the side adds a little twist and spice. Evan Cahill and Maggie Kennedy; Sarah Channing and Rourke Bragg are sub-plots that just makes this book one of the best. Keep them coming Ms. Joyce, I sure would love to read more. Do not mind the other reviewers that don't seem to get it, they can go read some other book.

I really enjoyed this book and like another reviewer said there was a certain freshness to this book. The relationships between the secondary characters really seemed to evolve.

5 STARS and MORE. Brenda Joyce knows how to escalate anticipation. I read the series from Book #2 to present. Hart makes a more interesting read than Bragg. Looking forward to the next installment. I hope BJ comes out with it soon.

This is the seventh title in Brenda Joyce's saga of sleuth Francesca Cahill. As in the previous Deadly books, Francesca commits herself to solving the latest murder, and meanwhile is torn in her romantic life and involved in family and friend relationships. This book brings to a climax her choice between the two handsome brothers Rick and Calder. As in the other books, Brenda Joyce continues previous storylines that run through these books and adds a few new ones which she leaves to complete in the next book....as always you are left waiting for the next book to come out so you can continue being involved in these people's lives. Will they make the right choices? What happens next? I'm beginning to believe I live in New York city in 1902 along with this cast of characters. Like all of Brenda Joyce's books...there's a little suspense, romance, love and hard choices....please Brenda...keep writing!