Mr. Perfect [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Linda Howard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2003

Linda Howard's new chilling and darkly sensual new novel; What would make your perfect man? That's the delicious topic heating up the proceedings at a certain table of professional women at their favourite restaurant. As the conversation picks up momentum, so do the quartet's requirements for Mr Perfect. And they write down a tongue-in-cheek list that's both funny and racy. The next thing Jaine Bright and her three girlfriends know the List becomes an overnight sensation, grabbing the interest of local newspapers and television coverage. No one expected this avalanche of attention for something that began as a joke among friends. But the joke turns deadly serious when one of the four is murdered...The prime suspect in the case is the victim's boyfriend, one of a number of men who found the List sexist and offensive. But an impenetrable alibi gets him off the hook. Now, with the help of Jaine's neighbour, an unpredictable police detective, the puzzle must be solved - and time is running out as a deadly stalker targets the three remaining friends, and the dream of Mr Perfect becomes a chilling nightmare.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Setting: Warren, Michigan, present day

Sensuality: 8

Jaine Bright and three close friends share dinner one night and during casual conversation, create a list of qualifications for the perfect man--some logical, some hilariously funny, some racy. Within days, their tongue-in-cheek wish list of attributes for Mr. Perfect has been leaked to the press and the resultant publicity is overwhelming. Coworkers, TV crews, and reporters barrage the quartet with comments and criticism.

As if Jaine doesn't have enough to cope with, she has a new neighbor who she suspects is a criminal. She's relieved to learn that her neighbor is really an undercover cop, but she's still wary--because smart, sexy Sam Donovan handles her sharp witticisms with easy humor, and Jaine suspects that he may threaten her heart. What Jaine doesn't know is that she's about to need Sam desperately for something other than romance because her circle of friends is in big trouble. Unfortunately, that list of qualifications for Mr. Perfect has touched off a madman's rage. All of their lives are threatened and some of them are going to die, maybe all of them, if Sam can't stop the unknown killer.

Mr. Perfect brings to readers the quintessential Linda Howard hero, whose straightforward, "me Tarzan, you Jane" attitude plays well with a smart, witty heroine. The rapid-fire dialogue between the two is downright hilarious at times, even when the two are about to steam up the windows and burn up the sheets. It's difficult to balance this kind of humor and sensuality with edgy suspense, but Howard manages it with aplomb. If you enjoyed Heart of Fire and Dream Man, you're going to love this latest novel. It's drop-dead wonderful.--Lois Faye Dyer --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

People Sexy fun....A frolicsome mystery...Jaine Bright lives up to her name: she's as bright -- and explosive -- as a firecracker.

Romantic Times There is nothing quite like a sexy and suspenseful story by the amazing Linda Howard! The sparring relationship between Sam and Jaine is a delight. Mr. Perfect is funny, exciting, gripping, and sensuous -- in fact it ranks as one of her all-time best! --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Ulverscroft Large Print Books Ltd (February 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0708947883
• ISBN-13: 978-0708947883
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (397 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,759,284 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Linda Howard is the award-winning author of many New York Times bestsellers, including Up Close and Dangerous, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Cover of Night, Killing Time, To Die For, Kiss Me While I Sleep, Cry No More, and Dying to Please. She lives in Alabama with her husband and two golden retrievers.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

104 of 115 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW.....Linda Howard is back....., August 4, 2000

By 

"recyndra" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mr. Perfect (Hardcover)

Mr. Perfect may not be the perfect book, but it comes close. After being disappointed with John Medina's character in All The Queen's Men (after falling hard for him in Kill And Tell), I wasn't too sure about this book. But Detective Sam Donovan is definitely my idea of a yummy neighbor to have, especially when you're being stalked because you and your friends compiled a silly little list about the perfect man.

I loved the interaction (verbal and sexual) between Sam and Jaine - they are one great couple! And you know you're reading a great book when you mourn a character who's been murdered! I loved Jaine's friends and her sister, Shelly, is a hoot! Even Corin, an incredibly creepy individual, generates equal parts horror and sympathy. Bravo for a job well done!

Ms. Howard has redeemed herself in my eyes and I hope this style of writing is a trend. Can't wait for the next book. Also out this month is A Game Of Chance and it's not too early to start begging for Margreta's story to be told.

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mr. Perfect is a perfect hit!, July 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Mr. Perfect (Hardcover)

Linda Howard will not disappoint her legions of fans with her latest romantic suspense, Mr. Perfect. The key word here is romantic. A lot of her faithful readers, including me, were disheartened by her last book, All the Queen's Men, because much of the romantic tension (which is her hallmark) seemed to be missing. Not so in Mr. Perfect.

The plot revolves around a list of attributes that make up the perfect man-- a list concocted by four female co-workers and friends at their regular Friday-night, afterwork, unwind-with a-few-drinks get together. The List is righteous and raunchy. It becomes a hot topic of water cooler conversation after it is leaked and appears in a renegade company newsletter and on the Internet. What follows is an avalanche of publicity and attention as everyone in first the region, then the nation is talking about the List. It also catches the attention of a psychopath who is determined to eliminate the List ladies, one by one.

The heroine, Jaine Bright, enlists the assistance of her sexy cop neighbor, Sam Donovan, when she fears that she and her friends are in mortal danger. Jaine is funny and smart with a wicked wit and a gutter mouth that she is trying desperately to clean up. Sam is strong, hunky and gives as good as Jaine in the verbal jabs department. The romance develops between the two like slow foreplay-- its simmers, sizzles and finally explodes. Unlike the heroine and hero in All the Queen's Men, Sam and Jaine are together throughout the book as they spar, kiss, make love and attempt to find the killer.

Despite the grim premise, this book is funnier and more lighthearted than previous Linda Howard novels. Granted there are some very sad scenes, but the dialogue and characterizations throughout kept me laughing. The friendship among the four woman was also well-drawn and captured the laughter, loyalty, empathy and yes raunchiness that women who are good friends can display with each other.

I enjoyed Mr. Perfect immensely, was sad to see it end, and can't wait for her next book!

47 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book I've read all year!!, October 5, 2000

By 

Katt - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mr. Perfect (Hardcover)

This was my first Linda Howard book and it won't be my last! I bought it on a whim in hardcover, which is something I usually don't do, but this book was worth it!

Jaine Bright and her 3 friends meet after work on Friday night and create a list of what the perfect man would be. Soon after, that the List gets public attention and almost overnight makes the women stars. One by one the women start to get murdered and Jaine soon realizes she's next.

In the midst of all the suspense and mystery, Jaine starts a hot and heavy romance with her hunky neighbor, Sam who happens to be a detective. Together they try to discover who the killer is before it's too late.

This book is the perfect mix of mystery, romance, and humor. Jaine is probably the best fictional character I've read in awhile. She's tough as nails with a sense of humor to match! You can't help but laugh out loud reading some of the dialog between Jaine and Sam. I wish that Ms. Howard would make a series out of these characters because I sure would enjoy reading about them again!