NYPD Homicide Detective Nikki Heat pursues his mother's killer while also trying to prevent a major terrorism attack. When NYPD Homicide Detective Nikki Heat agreed to let author Jameson Rook shadow her, she hadn't planned on the amount of attention she would receive. Or that she would end up falling in love with the ruggedly handsome writer. But as she continues trying to track down the person who killed her mother, she finds herself leaning on Rook to keep her sane. The day begins with the discovery of a health inspector who had burned to death in a large pizza oven. When an investigative reporter is also killed and several other older murders are uncovered, Heat realizes that it's part of a larger plot organized by a taunting serial killer.
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At the same time, she and her squad are also tracking down Salena Kaye, a former spy who tries to kill Heat. She has some connection to the murder of Heat's mother, but it's not clear what she wants. But as Heat tracks her, she runs up against an elite FBI and Homeland Security squad who insist on taking over the investigation. It doesn't help that the squad of Feds is run by Yardley Bell, an ex-girlfriend of Rook's. They discover that Harold Mears, another spy thought to be dead is actually alive, but before Heart can question him he's killed for good this time.
It's frustrating for Heat because the bad guys seem to be one step ahead of her all the time. The only advantage she has is that she has withheld a vital clue to her mother's death: a mysterious cypher that Rook helps her decode. The clue leads Heat to a note hidden by her mother and the identity of the person who has been trying to kill her.
The man turns out to be Agent Callen, a former spy and the number two person on the FBI task force. Everything comes together as the Feds join Heat, Rook and her squad to finally capture the serial killer. As they do, Heat tricks Agent Callen into revealing himself and she also reveals that he's being helped by a female officer in her squad. They are arrested, the serial killer is headed to jail and Heat finally has some closure about the death of her mother.
Best part of story, including ending:
The plot is almost impossible to predict, with a seemingly endless supply of twists and turns. I didn't know until the very end who the killer might be and was very surprised when the bad guys (and gals) were revealed at the end of the book.
Best scene in story:
The little romance interludes between Rook and Heat. They are sweet and tender and very believable. They are also a nice contrast to the action parts of the book.
Opinion about the main character:
I like the fact that Nikki Heat is a well-rounded female character. She's strong and an extremely talented detective. But she also has a healthy romantic life and can be spontaneous and sexy.
