Customer Reviews

Detour (Silhouette Bombshell)

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Sierra Martindale almost lost her life while following up on a case for her brother's law firm. As a private investigator, she was used to getting into tough spots but nothing had prepared her for needing a heart transplant after she collapsed while fleeing from an angry man she had under surveillance. Unfortunately, this heart transplant has also given her the ghost of the organ donor and now Sofia James won't let Sierra rest until she solves her murder. Sierra begins her investigation into what was deemed an accident only to find a dark trail of secrets that leads her into military bases and a recent spate of Air Force plane crashes. Sierra must find Sofia's murderer- but will it cost her the very life Sofia's heart gave her?

DETOUR is an entertaining read in which the ghost is actually one of the main characters. Sofia's temperament in life was to avoid confrontation but the secrets she died with are strong enough to break through those barriers. The scenes involving Sofia, Sierra, and Sofia's husband in life, Wyatt James are interesting from a paranormal standpoint but a bit odd for those looking for a romantic angle. While a romantic relationship does develop between Sierra and Wyatt, the issues surrounding the ever-present Sofia's thoughts on the relationship are never really addressed. This is highlighted by some rather unusual possession scenes.

The identity of Sofia's murderer is well cloaked and there are numerous red herrings to keep the reader guessing. The mystery is exceptionally well done and the clues are all there for the ultimate resolution. The intricate details of the mechanisms involved in the crashes are well easily understood and this reviewer particularly liked Sylvie Kurtz's ingenuity regarding the accidental death explanation for Sofia. Overall, DETOUR is a book that is worth reading and this reviewer will be keeping an eye out for more books by Sylvie Kurtz.

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

In Nashua, New Hampshire private investigator Sierra Martindale is a workaholic handling dangerous cases. Her current one involves a 285 pound muscleman Finn Murdock who teaches professional wrestling and whose shoulder injury should prevent him from lifting. Her case is to prove he is a fraud. However he and his goons chase her up the Merrimack to make sure she has no evidence that would affirm he has no injury until she suddenly collapses. A heart transplant saves her life.

However, she gets more than just a dead woman's ticker, Sierra finds herself communicating with the ghost of the donor. The deceased woman Sofia James claims she was murdered and her killer got away with the crime by making it look like an accident. Feeling she owes this woman her life, Sierra investigates starting with the widower, Wyatt, who may just be the killer or her soulmate.

This paranormal private investigative romantic suspense is a fascinating thriller in which the late Sofia provides clues (at too many opportune moments) to help spur the no longer risk taking sleuth to investigate her death. Gender bending the Hoskins-Washington movie Heart Condition, DETOUR is a strong fun tale though the dribbling of information from beyond leaves a shaky premise as readers will wonder why Sofia just didn't confide right away all she knows. Still this is a fine thriller as the heroine wonders just who she is.

Harriet Klausner

Sierra Martindale is a private investigator. While running from the man she has been hired to investigate, Sierra collapses. She ends up needing and receives a heart transplant, and fifteen months later she healing well physically, though she is struggling emotionally. The ghost of the woman who gave her, her new heart appears every night and is begging Sierra to help find her killer.

Sophia James is Sierra's heart donor. The search for answers takes Sierra to Wyatt James, Sophia's husband. Sierra has to tell Wyatt what is going on in order to gain his help. He reluctantly believes Sierra and together they will try to solve the mystery surrounding Sophia's death. Wyatt and Sierra find themselves on a dangerous mission where they discover that Sophia was a casualty in a deadly game and no one can be trusted.

Detour kept me glued to the pages. The suspense, drama and romance are captivating. It is an emotional story with three wonderful characters. Detour will grab you and not let go until its dramatic and touching conclusion.

Nannette
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed