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Tightrope

by Amanda Quick
Berkley. May 2019. 320p. ISBN 9780399585364. $27; ebk. ISBN 9780399585371. HISTORICAL ROMANCE
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OrangeReviewStarAfter surviving a bizarre murder attempt—and sending the villain to his death in the process—trapeze artist Amalie Vaughn is carving out a new life as a hotel owner in Burning Cove on the California coast. When her first guest is murdered on stage by his own robot, the old stories of a psychic who jumped off the hotel's roof to her death resurface and then the rumors start. The tale of a curse may be false, but the dangers soon prove too real, and a late-night intruder results in the enigmatic Matthias Jones moving in to keep Amalie safe. Now the stage is set for danger of a whole different sort. A priceless cipher machine, dastardly villains, and an unexpected romance add surprises of their own.
VERDICT With a multithreaded plot, quick-witted banter, and offbeat characters with a theatrical flair, Quick's work returns to Burning Cove and another trip to the edgy, elegant Thirties. This twisted tale of murder and revenge ties up loose ends while it hints at more to come. Quick (The Other Lady Vanishes) also writes as Jayne Ann Krentz and Jayne Castle; she lives in Seattle. [See Prepub Alert, 11/26/18.]
Reviewed by Kristin Ramsdell , Apr 01, 2019
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