Killer Heat by Brenda Novak

Back of the book: The bodies of seven women have been discovered in Skull Valley, Arizona. Jonah Young, a private security operative from Department 6, has been hired by the Yavapai County Sheriff to assist in solving these murders.  But Jonah’s not prepared for the complications that arise when he’s forced to work with a woman from his past, private investigator Francesca Moretti.

Jonah betrayed Francesca ten years ago. She hasn’t forgiven him and she’s pretty sure she never will. But the woman she was hired to find has been murdered in exactly the same way as the seven in Skull Valley, so like it or not, Francesca has to work with Jonah. They quickly zero in on the most likely suspect–but questions remain. Questions they have to answer. Because if they bet on the wrong man, it might be the last thing they ever do…

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My review: Killer Heat is the third book in the Dept. 6 Hired Guns series by Brenda Novak.  Seven bodies have been found – women who’ve apparently been raped and then killed.  Francesca Moretti and Jonah Young, along with the local authorities, are searching for the killer before another murder takes place.

Francesca and Jonah share a past that ended when he betrayed her – that is, she thought it ended until she became involved with the case and he was already working on it as a consultant.  Putting their past behind them, for the time being, they concentrate their efforts on solving the case.

Novak gives us plenty of suspects – some have more motive than others.  I thought the suspense built at a perfect pace leading to a breathtaking final scene.  I hope there will be more books in the Dept. 6 series.  I’ve enjoyed them all and recommend the series to fans of romantic suspense.  Killer Heat will be published Sept. 28, 2010.

Review copy from Harlequin MIRA via NetGalley