There's something sexy about detectives - and it's time crime novels admitted it. Crime & Passion novels are fast-paced murder mysteries in the British tradition - but the detectives and their suspects have adult tastes and desires.


Francesca Lyons is found dead in her art gallery. The cause of death isn't obvious, but her bound hands suggest foul play. The previous evening she had an argument with her husband, she had sex with someone, and two men left messages on the gallery's answering machine. Detective Chief Inspector Anderson has plenty of suspects, but can't find anyone with a motive. When Stephanie Pinkney, an art researcher, is found dead in similar circumstances Anderson's colleagues are sure that the culprit is a serial killer.

But Anderson is convinced that the murders are connected with threads of jealousy and greed. Unravelling the threads leads him to Andrea Maguire, a vulnerable, sensual art dealer with a quick-tempered husband and unsatisfied desires.

Anderson can prove that Andrea isn't the killer. He tells himself that there can be no harm in becoming involved with her. But is he making an untypical and dangerous mistake?