On Fire

First he's suspected of murder, then he disappears. But no matter what the evidence says—Riley St. Joe knows her grandfather is not capable of such a vile act. The famed explorer and oceanographer taught her all she knows. Now she'll pay him back by finding the real killer.

Recovering from gunshot wounds received in the line of duty, FBI agent John Straker is the last man Riley would go to for help. As lifelong nemeses, bitter arguments are the only constant in their relationship. But knowing she's in danger—and about to get herself into more—Straker can't help but keep an eye on her, even if it means binding their fates with combustible ties.

The mysterious sinking of a research ship off the coast of New England sets the scene for Neggers's (Kiss the Moon) romantic suspense. Marine biologist Riley St. Joe and her childhood nemesis, John Straker, form a shaky alliance when Riley's grandfather, a famed maritime explorer, becomes the prime suspect in the murder of the ship's captain. John, an FBI agent on leave due to post-traumatic stress syndrome, comes out of seclusion to assist Riley in her quest to clear her grandfather--which gives the pair plenty of opportunity for romantic sparring and reminiscing. Good writing (Neggars fills in the many slow spots with interesting facts of marine life) fails to compensate for a tedious plot and stereotypical female behavior. (Nov.)

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Carla Neggers has been writing fiction since she first climbed a tree with pad and pen at age eleven. Now her books, with their powerful blend of chilling suspense and daring romance, regularly appear on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists. An avid hiker and kayaker, Carla lives with her family in Vermont, not far from Quechee Gorge. For more information on her latest books and to contact Carla, please visit: www.carlaneggers.com.