Kill and Tell

Bestselling author Howard (Son of the Morning) meshes hot sex, emotional impact and gripping tension in this perfect example of what romantic suspense ought to be. Shortly after her mother's death, nurse Karen Whitlaw receives a package from her long-estranged father and, unable to bring herself to explore it, she packs it away. Unknown to her, the package contains information that could destroy a U.S. senator, who would kill to get it. Six months later, police detective Marc Chastain summons her to New Orleans to identify the body of her murdered father. As the repressed Karen falls for the sexy detective, she finds herself being targeted by killers intent on recovering something she doesn't realize she has. Karen is a strong, likable heroine, and Marc manages the often-tried and rarely accomplished trick of being both tough and vulnerable. Minor characters are believable and fleshed-out, and the narrative is never bogged down by subplots or ill-advised red herrings. Howard, a gifted writer who has not always been in full control of her material, pulls it together in this one. (Jan.)