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Since KILLJOY is my first Julie Garwood novel, I can't say that I'm disappointed with her departure from historical romance. And I don't believe her old fans will be either. This second foray into the romantic mystery genre sees her gathering strength with her contemporary tales and promises to be a smashing success. She has a Sidney Sheldonesque way about her of putting together a page-turning story, with the plot twists popping up right at chapter's end, so you simply cannot put the book down until you're into the next. Well, you know what happens then. Right, another cliffhanger, and you're compelled to read on. Plus, many of her characters are classic: The spoiled villain who flies into a rage when the smallest thing goes wrong; the drunks falling on top of each other in a raggedy heap; a peach of a boss wrapped in a tyrant's clothing; or a bumbling pair of backwoods storekeepers, complete with flannel shirts and gold-capped teeth. Working one's way through the myriad clues turns out to be a great deal of fun, and readers are rewarded with some pretty darned good surprises too.
Our beautiful blond heroine, Avery Delaney, survives a horrible trauma at age 11, when her estranged mother, after years of no contact, sends her boyfriend to snatch Avery from her Grandmother Lola. The kidnapping goes awry, and in the process of resisting, Avery is badly beaten, shot and left for dead alongside her grandmother. An FBI agent first on the scene becomes her hero. Thereafter, she strikes out to become part of that elite team. Years later, when in her 20s, Avery takes a break from her job as an information analyst at the Bureau to meet her Aunt Carrie at a spa in Colorado. There, the ugliness of the past returns. Carrie never makes it to the spa, and Avery is frantic to find out what happened to her. The spa insists her aunt canceled at the last minute, but a phone call received while arguing with the staff convinces Avery otherwise. By happenstance, she hooks up with ex-agent John Paul Renard, a huge hulk of a guy with a scarcity of smiles and an abundance of good looks. Wondering whether he's a rogue or a man of high principles, she fights her growing attraction --- and him --- for much of their budding relationship. Abundant dialogue of barbed exchanges links the relentless series of obstacles and setbacks.
The action is nonstop, with the couple's escapades spanning several states while enduring cliff jumps, swollen rivers, a forest sniper, and dodging the FBI team dispatched to protect Avery. Their survival depends on their own instincts, ingenuity, and stamina --- and a little outside help.
Ms. Garwood knows well how to build conflict. The bad guys are in no way subtle, bordering on being over-the-edge evil. The good guys sparkle. The clash between them is spectacular. A day spent reading KILLJOY is a day well spent.
--- Reviewed by Kate Ayers
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