NOTHING TO FEAR

Author: Karen Rose ISBN: 0446614483 8/2005 SUSPENSE Publisher: WARNER

As director of an inner-city women's shelter, Dana Dupinsky safeguards many secrets. Some are new identities; some are new addresses; and some are even hidden truths about herself. Passionately dedicated to Hanover House and the women she protects, Dana has always been reluctant to look for love. But now, just as a case puts her and a child in mortal danger, it seems that love has come looking for her. Security expert Ethan Buchanan learned to stalk men in the Afghan desert. Now he vows to track down the ruthless woman who kidnapped his godson-and falling for Dana is not in the plan. Yet her very presence seems to chase away the ghosts that haunt him, and her skillful evasion of personal questions raises his hunting instincts. For there's a deadly new secret at Hanover House. A brutal killer is weaving a web of revenge with a stolen boy at its center. And Dana is the next victim on the list...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

NOTHING TO FEAR is a title that in no way describes this book. There is everything to fear here, especially if you have ever ratted someone out and they landed in jail! Revenge like this ain't pretty. As a matter of fact, it's downright gruesome.

With its high body count and nasty descriptions of some of the murdering being done, the story is not for the squeamish. There is a child abduction and references to rapes (committed and going to be committed) that may turn you off. Not to mention a whole lot of bullets to the head. On the upside, the mystery is a nail-biter and not at all what you think it is. The way the villainess goes about her methodical revenge scheme is scary. She is definitely a character that you are glad doesn't exist.

The love story is okay, but it's hard to imagine the power couple really being as in tune as they supposedly are, with so much happening to and around them, but it works. The fact that they don't put two and two together a bit sooner is a bit far-fetched, but that is suspenseful in itself.

I don't see anyone getting inspired to become a social worker or run a battered woman's shelter after reading NOTHING TO FEAR, but I could be wrong. I have read better and I have read worse, but the mystery/suspense here is strong and the author never leaves a dull moment. It's action packed and quite the page turner. This one may haunt you for nights after reading it.

Shannon Johnson