Blue Smoke

Library Journal Review: Starred Review. The past impacts the present with a vengeance as arson cop Reena Hale gradually realizes that the firebug who has been plaguing her Baltimore beat has a personal reason for his actions?her. The identity of the killer is fairly clear to the reader from the beginning, but watching the characters try to figure out the pattern will keep readers on edge. For all its fascinating arson investigation details, this tale is more about family and relationships than about murder. Well crafted, nicely paced, though occasionally violent, this contemporary takes a clear-headed heroine and an almost-too-good-to-be-true hero and gives them a love story that will make you smile. Still, it is Reena's wonderfully eclectic, oh-so-Italian family that makes the book truly memorable. Classic Roberts. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 6/1/05.] Copyright ? Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.