NECESSARY RISK

Author: Kathleen Long ISBN: 0373692439 3/2007 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: HARLEQUIN INTRIGUE

Detective Zach Thomas had one goal: find out what really happened the day his brother died. Problem was he had to involve beautiful scientist Jessica Parker. Then, as Zach slowly uncovered some deadly secrets, his need for vengeance was overshadowed by his desire to protect Jessica. Jessica Parker knew she'd spent her life doing no harm, and yet somehow the research she'd conducted had gone so horribly wrong. Could her gorgeous protector prevent her from falling victim to an elusive enemy who'd stop at nothing to suppress the truth?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

A NECESSARY RISK is a March Harlequin Intrigue release. I thought the book started brilliantly. It has a very strong hook with the suicide of a tortured young man. The next thing we know we're at a media showcase, and a newly promoted young scientist is giving her first presentation to the press. There's a snake in the grass, however, in the person of Detective Zach Thomas, the brother of the young man we just saw die.

Zach believes the drug this young scientist is promoting is the cause for his brother's death. His brother was part of a clinical trial, and Zach smells a cover up. The emotion is palpable and the first scenes are flawless.

This book has a strong, intriguing plot, but ultimately I think too much was packed into the book. It left the heroine as not much more than a cipher. I love the hero, though! I just wish we got to know Jessica better, and that we saw Zach really fall in love. I had this sense of being told the emotions rather than seeing them develop. Perhaps it's time for Kathleen Long to write a single title romantic suspense? I'd read it!

Heather Hiestand