Frozen Heat is by far the best novel in the Nikki Heat series. In here we have lots of action, mystery, secrets and lies, and a love affair that comes to full blossom in the streets of Manhattan, Boston and Paris.
While reading this book I have somehow felt that Nikki Heat and Jameson Rook have stepped into Derrick Storm’s shoes; however that’s because the novel at hand reads not only as a classic whodunit but also as a spy story.
The body of a woman, stubbed to death, is discovered in a suitcase and Nikki Heat is called to the scene to investigate. And before too long she’s shocked to discover that the suitcase used to belong to her. It was stolen by the man who murdered her mother.
But why? Why did he use that specific suitcase to dispose of the body? What does he seek to achieve by leaving such an obvious clue behind? Was the dead woman in some way connected with her mother? If yes, how did she know her? And when?
She feels at a loss at first, and as the story unfolds, she doesn’t get to feel any better. In fact, if it wasn’t for Jameson, she’d probably go nuts. Her partner in bed and in crime solving, is always there, for whatever she needs. And since he took a bullet for her, while trying to save her life, he’s become a hero of sorts for the cops. And it’s exactly this newfound popularity that they are going to use in order to solve the crime; but also, oh yes, some of his money.
As we follow Nikki and Jameson from place to place, while they retrace her mother’s footsteps and she’s trying to make peace with her dad, we see this strong and determined woman at her most vulnerable moments. The past seems to haunt her all the way, and until she finds the answers she’s looking for, she’s not going to rest. But will the answers give her the peace of mind that she needs? By the looks of it, no, they won’t.
So, what do you do when you find out that your mother was not at all the person that you remembered her to be? How do you react when her dark secrets come to light? How do you live today and plan for tomorrow when you come to realize that most of yesterday was nothing but a lie?
The reader watches Nikki closely as she takes a deep breath and dives into her mother’s secret past, and in the end he can feel nothing but sympathy for her plight. However, at the same time, one can say that that poor soul is blessed since right there, standing next to her, is Jameson, somebody who would do everything in his power to help and protect her, and, most important of all in times of darkness, make her smile.
Well-written, action-packed, rich in character development and with light touches of humor, Frozen Heat is the complete package. Read and enjoy.
By the same author:
A Brewing Storm
A Raging Storm
A Bloody Storm
