The Widow

June 4, 2001
When French artist Aristide Pompasse, famous almost as much for his affairs as for his paintings, is found dead—possibly murdered—his estranged wife, the much younger Charlie Thomas, reluctantly returns to Pompasse's Tuscan villa in preparation for the funeral. Five years before, Charlie escaped from Pompasse's domineering hold to start a new life for herself in New York City, and now she is determined to seal the painful memories of her past by selling Pompasse's estate. But first Charlie will have to face Pompasse's former lovers and deal with Conner Maguire, an abrasive tabloid reporter posing as an insurance consultant. While Charlie and Connor fling insults at each other and search for Pompasse's missing paintings, they uncover some startling secrets indicating that someone may be out to harm Charlie. Through colorful prose and snappy, realistic dialogue, Stuart (Wild Thing, etc.) skillfully portrays the palpable friction between Charlie and Connor, but she fails to ignite much excitement with the mystery element of this story. Although the narrative does pick up during the last third of the book, readers looking for a fast-paced thriller are likely to be disappointed. Those drawn to sexual heat, however, will find plenty here to satisfy.

August 3, 2001
Jarred out of her life as a successful Manhattan restaurant owner by the murder of her ex-husband, renowned artist Aristide Pompasse, Charlie Thomas returns to his Tuscan villa, planning to settle the estate, lay the past to rest, and then get on with her life. But she finds instead a host of unanswered questions, a pervasive sense of evil, and a compelling stranger who is definitely not what he seems. A master at creating chilling atmosphere with a modern touch, Stuart takes a determined yet vulnerable heroine, a brash, sexy hero, and a diverse assortment of memorable secondary characters, gives them an idyllic setting, and then puts them in the middle of a complex plot with some sordid, almost Gothic twists. Great dialog and a touch of unexpected humor lighten the mood but don't detract from the overall feel of this nicely done tale of romantic suspense. Noted for dark, highly sensual romances, Stuart (Shadows at Sunset, Mira, 2000) is a member of the RWA Hall of Fame; she lives in Greensboro, VT.

Copyright 2001 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.