TIGHTROPE

After surviving a murderous attack and starting a new life as an
innkeeper, a former trapeze artist is drawn to the enigmatic man investigating
the bizarre murder of her first-ever guest.

Amalie Vaughn is putting the past behind her, especially the
recent attack from the Death Catcher, a serial killer who targeted trapeze
artists. Using every dime of a family inheritance, she’s bought a villa in
Burning Cove, a fashionable California resort town, determined to make it a
premier inn. Unfortunately, the mansion has had a bad reputation since a
Hollywood psychic jumped off its roof. Then her first guest, an inventor, is
murdered at the hands of his robot during an exhibition. Amalie is worried that
the event will further risk her chances of success, and when Matthias Jones, a
rumored gangster, shows up to investigate the crime, she feels tarred by his
interest—in her and in the possessions the inventor left behind. Matthias is
sexy and intriguing, and his intuitive talent—an ability to tell when people
are lying—is disconcerting, but after Amalie’s circus life and near-death
experience, she figures it’s a manageable challenge. Matthias isn’t exactly a
gangster, though, and when the investigation uncovers a cryptic machine that
would threaten national security if it landed in the wrong hands, Matthias
moves into Amalie’s inn since she’s become a target. As suspects pile up and
the danger gets closer, so do Amalie and Matthias. The romance is sexy, and
it’s entertaining to watch Amalie save her livelihood through the power of
publicity with help from an aging movie star and a celebrity gossip columnist.

Quick (aka Jayne Ann Krentz) delivers another Hollywood golden age
romantic suspense that’s a little over-the-top, but in a clever, fun way.