Now or Never [Hardcover]

Elizabeth Adler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 10, 1997

For Boston Police Detective Harry Jordan, the grisly murders of three New England college women point to the work of a serial killer, but without any evidence, Harry has nowhere to start. Enter "the TV Detective" Mallory Malone, the famous and beautiful star of the investigative TV show whom Jordan has enlisted for help.



Jordan is prepared for Mallory's disdain and air of superiority, but he isn't ready for the electric attraction between the two. Nor does he expect her well-hidden vulnerability to be unveiled so soon, for Mallory holds a secret that eludes even the most astute detective. And both she and Jordan are about to discover that the murderer is closer than they know.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

A serial killer is stalking young women in Boston, and the police are at a loss for clues. The best they've come up with so far are a composite drawing of the killer and some educated hunches. Totally frustrated, Detective Harry Jordan turns to Mallory Malone, the beautiful star of a prime-time investigative TV show, in hopes of obtaining some air time from her for the case. The arrogant Malone agrees to meet Jordan but expects to deny his request as unworthy of her talents. What she does not expect, once they do meet, is the electric attraction between them. As the case unfolds and their relationship blossoms, Malone is faced with revealing her deepest personal secrets in order to catch the killer. This top-notch romantic thriller is one of the best yet from the author of Secret of the Villa Mimosa (LJ 9/1/94), combining tension, sensuality, and great characterization. Highly recommended.
-?Susan G. Clifford, Palos Verdes Lib. District., Cal.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Adler's novel juxtaposes a particularly gruesome murder against sex and romance, sort of Silence of the Lambs meets Danielle Steel. Harry Jordan is an unusual cop: the urbane scion of an old-money Boston family and a Harvard-educated lawyer. Faced with a stalled serial-killer investigation, Harry agrees to let Mallory Malone, the host of an America's Most Wantedtype program, feature his case on the air. Predictably, romantic sparks fly, but there's something mysterious about the beautiful Mallory. Eventually Harry pries his lover's deepest secrets out of her and finds she may hold the clue to the murderer's identity. Nerve-jangling suspense, steamy sex, glamorous characters, and graphic descriptions of the victims' last moments will grab readers' attention and may even make up for the too-glib dialogue, sadly predictable plot, and overwrought prose. Still, the novel definitely packs a wallop, and that alone will draw a sizable segment of the thriller-reading audience. Emily Melton

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Press (February 10, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385315929
• ISBN-13: 978-0385315920
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,976,307 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Elizabeth Adler is a self-confessed romantic, a travel addict and a foodie, all of which she brings to the reader in her novels, along with a tough thrust of suspense and an unfolding mystery that keeps you on your toes. Elizabeth has lived in many countries and when she's not writing spends time discovering even more places to bring to you, with her husband, Richard - still in love after all these years - as are the characters featured in her past three novels, Mac Reilly the Malibu PI and Sunny Alvarez, his lover and side kick. You have to read about them to know them! Elizabeth lives in California and has the ability to take you to all those romantic places she knows so well, Capri, Venice, Tuscany, St. Tropez, Monte Carlo, and of course, Malibu. You will feel you are there, with her, sitting on that Italian terrace, sipping that coffee, smelling the delicious food, savoring the heat and the sunshine and the mystery unfolding for you. Elizabeth is five-three and wishes she were taller, blind as a bat without her glasses that anyway she is too vain to wear, and at 128 lbs till thinking about that diet. She has one daughter, Anabelle who is married to rock musician Eric Avery and two kitties, the Siamese, Sweet Pea who rules the household, and an adorable black cat Sunny.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Murder meets the rich and famous, April 13, 2001

By 

Carol Peterson Hennekens (Colorado Springs, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Now or Never (Paperback)

I read lots of mysteries and, in the politically correct 90's, more than a few have underlying messages; or they are too far into the hard-boiled school; or they are so cozy that they put you to sleep. How fun to find a book that is just a an exciting fun read with glamourous settings and a murderer who wears up-grade cashmere. (My last Boston set mystery was a Dennis Lehane - this is a completely different version of Boston, thank heavens).

Oh, there's blood and gore but there's also champagne and romance. I often don't care for the mix but Adler does a terrific job of the blend. Fundamentally, there's enough chemistry between Mallory and Harry that the pages turn. And, unlike many romantic suspense novels where you simply want to skip the suspense pages, Adler writes a engrossing who dunnit. The writing isn't top-notch but it goes down easy. It was good enough to be a nominee for Romantic Times Romantic Suspense book of the year. A good book for reading at the beach or when you're home sick with a cold.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Elizabeth Adler Does Romantic Suspense Better Than Most, February 13, 2005

By 

Antoinette Klein (Hoover, Alabama USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Now or Never (Paperback)

I often find romantic suspense silly and not worth reading. But Elizabeth Adler gives her characters such depth and backstory that I was hard-pressed to tear myself away from this one.

Mallory Malone appears to be the woman who has it all. She is attractive, rich, and host of a program which appears to be as popular as Oprah's. When a series of grisly murders in the Boston area occur, homicide detective Harry Jordan enlists her help. Naturally, Harry is not your average cop. He comes from old Boston money and society, was once a lawyer, and lives in a glamourous home plus has an equally glamourous getaway place and drives a Jag.

When the two meet, he begins to fall in love but cannot get past the hard and brittle veneer Mallory has encased herself in. The reader knows these two are destined to be together and the trip there is well worth it.

Fast-paced action, a psychopathic killer that wears Gucci loafers and expensive cashmere sweaters, and a retrospective look at Mallory's past that endears her to the reader, all combine to make this a most-appealing and quick read.

And did I mention the dog. Squeeze is about as lovable as any canine in fiction and lives up to his name in a thrilling climax.

The plotting is quick and exciting, the romance is electric, and the total package makes for a highly enjoyable book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pretty cool, May 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Now or Never (Paperback)

It was the first Adler I read and was a bit tentative at first but I must admit it was riveting.

Great plot, believable characters and gory murders. I found myself praying for th women and enjoying the main characters. I had a lot of fun seeing Mal and Harry's relationship develop. I've always wondered about long- distance relationships but they kept up well.

A great read, an un-put-downable work. I hope to get more of the same soon.