Still of the Night [Hardcover]

Meagan McKinney (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Stella St. Vallier, the heroine of this lurid novel of romantic suspense, is part traditional Southern belle, part liberated feminist and all woman. She and her ancient great-aunt Rose are the last in a long line of strong, valiant St. Vallier women. Together with an elderly servant-cum-companion known as "Maman," they inhabit the ancestral plantation house, Shadow Oaks, and its declining sugarcane operation in Louisiana. Stella's efforts to save the plantation are complicated when she discovers a drug-smuggling operation on her property directed by P.G. Toutant, owner of the Scarlet Door, a sleazy strip club in Cane Town. Cane Town's sheriff, Jervis Archer, is worse than worthless, a slimy, rutting pig of a man. When Stella confronts Toutant, he has her thrown out of the club. Everyone Stella turns to, from the DEA to distant neighbor and U.S. Sen. Myron Leblanc, seems to be an enemy. Within Shadow Oaks lie hidden treasures and secret rooms. Within Stella lie the twin tensions of sexual violence and incipient romance, and she must navigate a tricky course to save herself and Shadow Oaks. McKinney has freighted her passionate story with many tired contrivances. Sometimes the clich?s are overwhelming, but neither they nor the contrivances are likely to discourage readers who enjoy tales of strong women triumphing over bad men and finding true love. (Feb.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Dr. Stella St. Vallier takes a sabbatical from her university position to try to save her family's failing cane plantation outside New Orleans. As she struggles to come up with a way to make the plantation on which her family has lived for 10 generations profitable, she runs across what may be a drug-smuggling operation on her land. But nobody seems interested in her suspicions, not even the sheriff who has had the hots for her since high school, or the senator who lives next door. Stella's investigation turns dangerous when she crosses paths with conspirators who have also murdered, laundered money, and participated in crooked politics. Then, when she confronts the sleazy owner of Cane Town's topless bar, she meets the very attractive bouncer, Garrett, and has to wonder, is this hunky bad boy involved in the conspiracy, or is he an undercover federal agent? McKinney's wonderfully atmospheric romantic suspense should appeal to fans of Tami Hoag and Karen Robards. Diana Tixier Herald
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Hardcover: 313 pages
• Publisher: Kensington Books (February 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575666154
• ISBN-13: 978-1575666150
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,239,739 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An exciting suspense thriller, January 24, 2001

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Still of the Night (Hardcover)

For two hundred years the St. Valliers family lived at Shadow Oaks in Cane Town, Louisiana. However, the once proud and elegant Bayou plantation is near the end of its' existence as financial problems beset the last two members of the St. Valliers clan. To save the estate and restore it to some of its past glory, Stella, a tenured college professor, has taken a leave of absence to come home and help her ninety-plus spinster Aunt Rose.

While exploring a remote part of the estate, Stella clandestinely observes a drug exchange on the next estate owned by Senator LeBlanc. She reports it to the Sheriff and the Feds, but both ignore her. Things change when undercover US Marshal Garrett Shaw is shot and recovers at her estate. As the Ph.D. and the lawman become acquainted they fall in love, but dangerous individuals with high connections plan to kill both of them.

STILL OF THE NIGHT is an exciting romantic suspense novel that will provide much entertainment to sub-genre fans. The story line contains action, but is clearly character driven. Stella is a brave individual who places her life on hold for tradition and the love of her aunt. Garrett risks his life for the job and to protect the two women whose world he crashed. Meagan McKinney has written a wonderful tale that will gain her new readers.

Harriet Klausner

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars ho-hum formula writing, October 7, 2002

By 

Karen Sampson Hudson "Karen Sampson Hudson" (Reno, NV United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Still of the Night (Hardcover)

"Still of the Night" is the first book by Meagan McKinney that I have read. In it I encountered a "woman's blend" of romance, mystery, and suspense that seemed initially engaging. There was also a big element of "action/violence" that seemed to have strayed from another genre.

McKinney's Louisiana "downhome" sayings are fresh and unjaded, and her language escapes cliches. The love/sex scenes are well portrayed with the right touches of physical allure and emotional involvement.

In spite of her deft phrases and skillful dialogue, I found "Still of the Night" too formulaic, as if conforming to a careful outline with a strange spin intended to appeal to women and men alike. From its promising opening pages, I expected another kind of book. I missed the integrity of a full-hearted, cleaner romantic novel it could have been.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marvelous!, January 23, 2002

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Still of the Night (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the first book I have read by Meagan McKinney, and I have to tell you that it won't be the last! Suspenseful and just the right amount of romance for my taste. Stella de St. Vallier is the main character who lives at an old manor in Louisiana. She is entangled in many webs of intrigue, darkness, and disbelief. She is also searching for the 200 plus year old treasure that is supposedly hidden in her manor, Shadow Oaks. She lives with her great-aunt Rose and friend Leora, a.k.a. Maman. Just wait till you get to the end, you won't believe it!!! Don't miss this fantastic read!