Close Up

Starred review from March 23, 2020
Quick demonstrates her mastery of sexy and sophisticated romantic thrillers with this superb fourth installment to her Burning Cove series, set in the golden age of Hollywood. Uninterested in a society marriage, heiress Vivian Brazier leaves San Francisco to build a career as an art photographer in L.A., paying the bills by taking headshots for beefcake wannabe actors and racing to crime scenes to shoot exclusives for the dailies. When her knowledge of photography comes in handy in helping the police identify the so-called “Dagger Killer,” Vivian unwittingly makes herself a target of someone who may be the murderer’s accomplice. Private investigator Nick Sundridge is hired by a mysterious third party to protect her, and together they hatch a plot to catch the killer using Nick’s special ability to “see things” in visions and psychic dreams. Quick expertly balances the paranormal intrigue of their investigation with the building attraction between Nick and Vivian while making time for delightful historical details. Readers will revel in the gripping mystery and 1930s glamour of this expertly crafted romance. Agent: Steve Axelrod, Axelrod Agency.

Narrator Morgan Hallett brings the listener back to the Hollywood glamour of the 1930s. Photographer Vivian Brazier gets caught up in murder and ends up on a hit man's list. Enter Nick Sundridge, who protects her and tries to draw the killer out. While Hallett has a pleasant speaking voice, she doesn't give Nick or the other male characters deep enough tones. Little variation differentiates the male and female characters. Hallett does provide varying levels of tension when the action picks up. As the murderer draws near, the passion lights up between Vivian and Nick. The entertaining story and Hallett's delivery of the plot compensate for the lack of distinct characterizations. S.B. � AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine