Search - Cold Hearted (Powell Agency, Bk 5)

Wow - I must say this book was excellent. I can see where it may figure in to an earlier series, but I read it as a standalone and no real clues were given away to what took place in the earlier books (besides the one married couple). I really liked Rick and Jordan as characters and at times it could be frustrating watching them fight their feelings, but you understood they had good reasons. The suspense was built really well. I went back and forth on who I suspected and really didn't get it right at the end. Ms. Barton was great at throwing the suspicion on every one that made sense in the story and keeping you guessing. I honestly had a hard time putting this one down (but work, cooking and the kids kind of demanded some of my attention). This wasn't my first by Ms. Barton and it definitely won't be my last. I enjoy her romantic suspense immensely. She has a good balance of romance with the suspense.

Good book. Did not figure out who did it until the very end.
As usual Beverly Barton brings it. I have read most of the books in this series and loved every one of them..

It is suspected that Senator Price's suicide was actually murder. The most likely suspect is his young widow, Jordan Price. Jordan remained stoic at the funeral and has a past that labels her a black widow: a dead fiancé and the deaths of her first and second husbands.

Rick Carson, investigator for the Powell Agency, takes the case. Everyone around Jordan seems to love her and can't believe she is capable of murder. But Rick has his doubts. Jordan has secrets and it is his job to discover the truth. The more he observes, the more he wonders if Jordan really is innocent. His suspect list is growing. Could it be a jealous family member, a bitter ex-wife, or an admirer who will stop at nothing?

I enjoyed reading this book. Barton does a wonderful job of balancing the romance and the suspense. The plot and pacing are great and the events and dialogue add to the overall tension and suspense. I guessed some of the twists and had to keep reading to find out what happened next. It was fun to guess motive, intentions and the identity of the culprit.

Cold Hearted will appeal to readers who enjoy suspense mixed with some romance. The attraction between the characters doesn't distract from the main story. There are enough clues for readers who want to try to figure out the identity of the murderer. I was three quarters of the way through and had narrowed my suspects down to three people. Reading the killer's creepy thoughts I had to decide if this person was cool and calculated or just plain delusional. This book is also great if you just want to be entertained.

You can NEVER go wrong when you pick up a Beverly Barton book! Fantastic !!!! Grab as many of her books as you can.....5+++ star rating from me!!!

Good book. I'll look for more by Beverly Barton.

This was an excellent book. Kept you at the edge of your seat. Had you wondering throughout the whole book "who" did it. Great read. I hated to finish it.