(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

Emma Sharpe, granddaughter of world-renowned art detective Wendell Sharpe, is a handpicked member of a small Boston-based FBI team. For the past decade Emma and her grandfather have been trailing an elusive serial art thief. The first heist was in Ireland, where an ancient Celtic cross was stolen. Now the Sharpes receive a replica of the cross after every new theft—reminding them of their continued failure to capture their prey.
When Emma receives a message that leads her to the body of a woman on a small island in Boston Harbor, she finds the victim holding a small, cross-inscribed stone—one she recognizes all too well. Emma's fiancé, FBI deep-cover agent Colin Donovan, is troubled that she's gone off to the island alone, especially given the deadly turn the thief has taken. But as they dig deeper they are certain there is more to this murder than meets the eye.
As the danger escalates, Emma and Colin must also face do-or-die questions about their relationship. While there's no doubt they are in love, can they give their hearts and souls to their work and have anything left for each other? There's one thing Emma and Colin definitely agree on: before they can focus on their future, they must outwit one of the smartest, most ruthless killers they've ever encountered.

This is the fourth book in the Emma Sharpe / Colin Donovan romantic suspense series. I haven't read any others but I don't think it is terribly important that you do...

I have always been a bit of a fan of romantic suspense novels - especially if the mysteries that are trying to be solved are tight. The stories of the murder of Rachel Bristol, and the identity of the Sharpe art thief (who is, conveniently, being investigated by Bristol) are superficially dealt with. I thought there could have been so much more to the investigations but it seemed to me that the relationships between various characters took precedence.

As for the suspense, that seemed to be kept back for how the couples deal with their relationships, rather than the actual investigation.

Two mysteries combine here to give this romantic suspense novel a little bit of grunt, but otherwise it seems to be more about couples making out than any investigation.


Paul
ARH