Brazen Virtue (Sacred Sins) (Mass Market Paperback)

~ Nora Roberts (Author)
Key Phrases: Nora Roberts, Mary Beth, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A riveting romantic-suspense novel that builds on the success of Roberts' Hot Ice and Sacred Sins, Brazen Virtue features an irresistible police detective and an eccentric mystery writer trying to separate business from pleasure while pursuing a deranged murderer. Original.

From the Inside Flap

From Nora Roberts, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Villa and Carolina Moon, comes a classic tale ? a searing novel of twisted passion and lethal cunning, available in hardcover for the first time.

Superstar mystery novelist Grace McCabe needs to unwind after a grueling book tour, and visiting her sister, whom she hasn't seen in months, seems the perfect solution. But Grace is surprised to find the fastidious Kathleen living in a grungy Washington, D.C., neighborhood. Kathleen, reeling from a bitter divorce and the loss of her son, is saving every penny of her teacher's salary to hire a hotshot lawyer for a custody battle.

Then Grace discovers that Kathleen is boosting her income with an unlikely profession: as an at-home phone-sex operator. Known as Desiree to the clients of Fantasy, Inc., Kathleen is living life on the edge. Yet how dangerous could it really be? With the ironclad anonymity the agency guarantees its employees, could anyone ever track her down?

Grace finds out one cherry-blossom-scented night when she comes home to find her sister dead, strangled with the cord of her "special" phone. Suddenly Grace's life turns into a scene from one of her own books ? the horror, the tight-lipped police, the shattered survivor. Only this time the survivor is Grace herself.

But she isn't waiting around for the police to catch up with the killer. Instead she creates a daring trap to lure the killer to her. Her plan goes against every coolheaded instinct of Detective Ed Jackson, the lead investigator on the case. He's read all of Grace's books and might have been the perfect consultant for the one she's working on, though in this real-life murder, she's the last complication he needs.

He's determined to keep Grace out of harm's way, but it's too late. Her trap has already worked. She has aroused the attention of a brilliant madman, and now nothing may be able to protect her from the murderous lust that drives this killer down a path of ecstasy laced with death.


From the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (May 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553272837
• ISBN-13: 978-0553272833
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,483 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Suspenseful, Satisfying Read, December 7, 2001

By	Sophie Williams (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brazen Virtue (Sacred Sins) (Hardcover)

"Brazen Virtue" is a great romantic suspense novel, written in true Nora Roberts style.
Grace is a successful murder mystery author who is looking for some peace and quiet after a stressful book tour. When Grace discovers that her usually straight-edge sister Kathleen is earning extra money as a phone sex operator she is concerned. But because of the company's strict anonymity policy, she figures that Kathleen will be perfectly safe. Unfortunately, she couldn't be more wrong, as she returns home one night to find her sister strangled with the phone cord. It seems as though Grace has walked right into one of her books, only this time she is the dazed survivor.
Detective Ed Jackson, Grace's new neighbour is assigned to the case. But he is having trouble concentrating on anything but his attraction to Grace and his desire to keep her safe. Grace is determined to avenge her sister's death, so she sets up a daring trap to lure the killer to her. Ed doesn't like the idea one bit, and is concerned for this feisty woman he has fallen in love with.
But neither Grace nor Ed knows that Grace's trap has already worked and that this brilliant madman has turned his obsession to her. As the killer closes in it will be up to Ed to put things together and get to Grace in time to save her life!
This is a thrilling and fast-paced read with a lovely romance added to the mix. Grace and Ed will charm readers with their endearing quirks and mannerisms. This is a follow-up to "Sacred Sins" although it can easily stand alone (I read this one first and had no trouble following). This is a wonderfully entertaining book and I have no doubt that you will enjoy it!

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nora Roberts is a reader's dream!!!, August 23, 1999

By A Customer

"Brazen Virtue" was a great "love-mystery" mini-novel. I am used to reading Nora's romance stories, so this one threw me a bit. It was wonderful nonetheless. The sister of a murder victim helps her next door neighbor catch the criminal. I give it a thumb's up!!!!!

Also, try the Mackade Brothers' series.

48 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An avid reader of Nora Roberts, December 30, 1999

By A Customer

Brazen Virtue was one of the first books I read of Nora's in the 1980's, along with Hot Ice and Sacred Sins. I couldn't put it down. I love the way she protrays her characters and keep the action moving. Nora has only gotten better through the years. I have probably bought every book she has written, even under the name J.D.Robb, and I keep looking for more. I usually read her books in one or two nights and then wait expectantly for the next one. Keep on writing Nora, you will always have a buyer in me.