Close Up (Burning Cove #4) (2024)

Another delightful tale from the amazing Amanda quick( aka Jayne Ann Krentz!!! Close up was a nod to her past paranormal romance books with both the main characters having gifts. This was a awesome romantic mystery with great characters and a well layed out storyline with many twists and turns set in the golden age of Hollywood. Vivian is a artist who wants someday to be on the walls of a famous gallery but in the meantime she is a crime photographer with a special talent that lets her get just the right angle and make front page news. I loved this character alot! She's smart,independent and knows who she is and what she wants. Our hero is Nick sundridge a private eye who has the talent of vision,but to him its a curse,so he walks the line of staying in control and not letting it drive him to insanity. Loved this mysterious and intriguing sexy guy and the chemistry between him and vivian was a dance in sensuality. The villains were very interesting as well and masterminds at carrying out their plans. This had a amazing hitchco*ck theme atmosphere quantity to it and their was plenty of suspense right to the end. And before I forget Rex nick's dog was a delight!!! What a great pairing! Rex was very special and almost human like and made a great hunter to our hunter Nick. Loved the nod to Jayne Ann krentz Arcane series with the mention of Caleb Jones!!! The Arcane series is one of my very favorite series!!! I've read them all many times. Can't wait for the next book in this Burning cove series its a fabulous series! Until next time Luv's💗💋💗💋

Close Up by Amanda Quick
Burning Cove, California series #4. Historical romantic suspense. Can be read as a stand-alone. There are links between the books that make the series more interesting of read together, but it’s no necessarily needed for any of the individual stories. A touch of paranormal of the psychic variety in dreams.
Vivian is an art photographer but it’s her work as a crime scene photographer that is currently paying her bills. Nick Sundridge is able to “see” certain events or it’s the disturbing dreams that’s made him an intuitive investigator. Working together, Vivian and Nick track the killer while danger tracks them.

Continuing Burning Cove intrigue with suspense, danger, strong independent heroines and a romance for them that’s unexpected.

This is fourth in a series, but they aren't terribly related, except in place. So you don't need to read them in order, but you might want to just to get the backstories of some of the principle characters. They aren't really intrusive or anything. But they're present.

Amanda Quick is drifting to her norm with these so the woowoo magic stuff is becoming more present as the series goes on. In this one, both main characters have supernatural abilities that they utilize periodically in plot-appropriate moments. They aren't strong talents, but they're present and acknowledged for what they are. Sigh.

The central romance kind of works, but with a load of negative motivation* bogging things down. That isn't helped by Nick having some self-loathing tossed in because he internalizes failures in unhealthy ways. Offsetting that somewhat is Vivian's self-assured good sense and frank manner. So she doesn't put up with his bellyaching and does so in a way that shuts that crap down (in a good way). Not that she isn't all negative motivation, too, when it comes to relationships. Sadly, with even less foundation than Nick. Still, I liked them together and the sense of each having finally found someone they connect with, and the resulting relief, was fun to experience.

The plot was a bit extreme, though. By which I mean that while it holds together on final analysis, it had too many moving parts with too many individual actors trying to do Vivian harm for completely different reasons. I mean, three people take a whack at her by the end, all with tangentially related motivations that probably needed a flowchart to keep the author from screwing them up. Which made it unpleasantly confusing to deal with as a reader. At least for me.

So this is three stars and continues a downward trajectory for the series. And that's concerning. I really liked how solid the first couple of stories were and hate to see them less engaging as I continue.

A note about Steamy: There are some explicit sex scenes, two or three, putting this in the middle of my steam tolerance (though just barely). I liked how they highlighted the intimacy arc of the characters, though that's tainted with the negative motivation mentioned above that kept them from truly connecting for a bit after they finally do the deed.

* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.

Vivian Brazier was born to a wealthy, well-connected family, and left a life of luxury to pursue her dreams of becoming a photographic artist. Her parents were not pleased with her decision so she’s on her own trying to make her way in the coastal town of Adelina Beach in California. To supplement her income Vivian snaps photos of crime scenes, and one in particular sets her on edge: the victims of the Dagger Killer. This killer poses the victims is such a way that makes Vivian think this murderer has a background in photography. As if this isn’t strange enough Nick Sundridge, a private investigator, shows up on her door saying he’s been hired to be her bodyguard after information comes out that names Vivian as the target of a deranged killer.

I’ve really enjoyed the Burning Cove series! Set in the 1930s on the California Pacific Coast, Burning Cove is a resort/hotel that caters to the rich and famous. It’s a town described with the beauty of Big Sur or Carmel: cliffs with breathtaking views of the Pacific with the added enticing feel of Old Hollywood.

I loved Vivian! She was a strong, clever woman, and she never seemed to let life’s setbacks get her down or derail her from her goals. Nick and Vivian’s chemistry was palpable from their first meet, and of course working together closely their romance turns from attraction to more quickly.

The initial call to Vivian’s aid was made in conjunction with a supernatural lead, and I liked this bit of paranormal element added to the story. The mystery kept me guessing until the end, keeping my attention firmly focused on the story unfolding!

Close Up is the fourth installment in the Burning Cove series, but you don’t have to read the previous stories to enjoy it. Each book is a separate mystery/romance that wraps up nicely. I’ve read several books by Amanda Quick (aka Jayne Ann Krentz) and this is my favorite series by her.

A copy was provided by Berkley via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Close Up is the 4th book in the series. I did not realize that when I read it but I don't think it mattered. It felt like a stand a lone.
Vivien Brazier is a photographer. She wants to use her photography as art and have it in galleries but for now she takes pictures at scenes of murders and fires and sells to papers. As she takes pics of a murdered actress, she notices there is something similar to the murder of another one. Now Vivien is at the top of hit list.
Nick Sundridge is someone who can see things in his dreams and now he has been told that Vivien's life is in danger. So he shows up at her door to try to convince her. She has been put into danger and needs to relocate for a short while. But she is also trying to get her foot into art galleries.
I did enjoy this book a lot. Vivien is a very independent woman and her parents are not happy with her. This does have instant love in it just as a warning.
I received this from NetGalley and Berkley for review.

Another great murder/mystery in the Burning Cove Series with that 30's Old Hollywood flavor. I don't think I would like a "Pink Lady" because it contains gin. But, the "Sidecar" definitely sounds intriguing! ;)

I’m gonna say this outright - I was SO WRONG!! I thought I knew what was going on like four times while reading this and I kept getting it wrong, which is exactly what I want in a book! I loved Vivian, she was strong and independent and very kind. And not afraid to stand up for herself! Nick was fascinating, broody and strong and I love his dog. A wonderful story!

Vivian Brazier rejected San Francisco high society to pursue her passion to be a modern photograph artist. Cut off by her parents and to support herself in the 1930s, she freelances as a crime scene photographer and has a studio for portraits. Vivian is always looking for that inner secret or special angle to make her pictures stand out tapping into her inner eye to read the invisible energy surrounding her subjects.

The Dagger Killer has struck again. The third victim has a knife protruding from her bosom. After photographing her, Vivian realizes that all the celebrity victims’ final death scenes were carefully composed and intentionally set. She believes that the murderer is a professional photographer using high quality equipment to create a pictorial series. The art world has been debating whether photography should be considered a work of art or a method to document reality. Pictoralism v. Modernism. Depicting as if a painting, an abstract vision v. clean, sharp, and revealing reality. She notifies the detective in charge requesting that she remain anonymous.

Private investigator Nick Sunridge has the gift of sight, a curse of disturbing dreams and visions. His ability allows him to “see” what others cannot parlaying him solving his clients’ cases. Nick and his dog, Rex, appear on Vivian’s doorstep to inform her that he had been employed to be her bodyguard as a killer had been hired to murder her in the next few days.

Jonathan Treyherne pictures himself as a gentleman assassin, who observes his victims for a month before honing into the kill. He records the details in poetry. When the journal of poetry is stolen, Vivian is revealed to be the next target. Unfortunately, the thief is dead and cannot reveal the location of the burglary and her poem is incomplete. Who and why Vivian is targeted is unknown.

Once again the players appear in Burning Cove, California where we encounter old friends (characters from her prior books), Oliver and Irene Ward, Luther Pell, and Raina Kirk. I continue to enjoy the series with strong independent female protagonists and the men they fall in love with. As to who wanted Vivian killed, I was guessing until the end.

Suspense, Romance and an intriguing murder mystery will quickly pull you in. While this is the fourth Burning Cove novel from Quick, each book has its own romance and engaging mystery. With a dash of paranormal woo-woo and references to the Arcane Society, fans will want to grab this one!

We meet photographer, Vivian Brazier, a young woman cut off from her family’s funds for pursuing a career in art. To make ends meet, she takes crime scene photos and tips a detective off to clues she picked up at the scene. This unknowingly places her in danger.

Nick Sundridge has a talent to “see” things through disturbing dreams and visions. When Vivian’s name appear in an encrypted diary, Nick acts as her bodyguard. As their attraction grows, he works with others to thwart a killer.

The tale that unfolds was suspenseful and offered us a glimpse into Nick’s talent and past. Quick hooked me as the danger mounted and the chemistry between this commitment shy couple grew.

Readers of the series are treated to scenes with key characters & couples as we check into the exclusive hotel in Burning Cove. I found Quick’s detailed technical knowledge of 1930s photography fascinating. She brings the period to life and often shares tidbits that have me exploring Google.

While the romance was predictable, the case and the killer’s perspective pulled me in. Quick has endeared me to the characters in this series. I delighted when they aided Nick and Vivan. Secondary characters ad This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

Close Up by Amanda Quick is the 4th book in the Burning Cove series. I have to admit that this is the first book I have read by this author, as well as in this series. She has definitely made me a fan. One does not have to read the previous 3 books to follow along nicely with this one. It seems like each one has central location ties, but a stand alone mystery with each book (I could be wrong about that).

I loved the time period: early 1930s. I love the locations located throughout California, although mainly Southern California. The book definitely had the old Hollywood vibe, which I love.

I loved the main characters: Vivian Brazier and Nick Sundridge. Vivian is smart, talented, bold, independent, and fiesty. She knows what she wants, and she is great at what she does: photography. I also liked that she was slightly older then a lot of these extremely young female protagonists that are featured lately. I took her as being early 30s. Nick is sarcastic, honorable, talented in his own profession as private investigator, and how can one not love his trained canine sidekick, Rex. I thought they were perfect for each other and their chemistry was off the charts. They also worked well together in helping solve the crimes, and saving Vivian’s life as well.

I enjoyed the murder/mystery plot. It was intricate, creative, and left me guessing until the end.

The entire plot was realistic (excluding the sixth sense aspect which added a spice to the mix), the dialogue and pace were appropriate and enjoyable, the secondary cast of characters were also excellent, and the ending was perfect. I would love to see a spin off of Vivian, Nick, his Uncle Pete, Lyra, and the gang because I think it could make for great series material.

Excellent book. 5/5 stars

Thank you Berkley/Penguin Random House for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.

I have now come to look forward to a new book in this series every year. I wish the author could drop two a year in this series. It is one of my favorite current series!

This one is just like the previous ones. A murder mystery wrapped in quirky characters who most certainly hold their own weight in the book. The 1920's cheesy tv show vibe is ever present too. And I absolutely love it! Just like the other books, I felt like I was watching an old cheesy, fun, and exciting 1920's show with my grandmother instead of reading a book.

These characters are fun. I can honestly say, I didn't see the twists coming. It was nice that they were a shock to me. I love how well the author used misdirection in such a great way. It totally worked on me.

I can't praise this series enough. This genre isn't my preferred genre, but I absolutely love Amanda Quick's writing of this genre. Amanda, if you're reading this, please don't stop.

This is a quick, easy read with interesting characters, nothing special.
A murder mystery and a romance set in the exclusive California town of Burning Cove.
It is just good enough to get you out of the doldrums on a boring day stuck indoors.

I could never get interested in this story. I kept putting it down until I finally just skimmed to the end.

Old Hollywood, Intuition, an Art Photographer, Private Detective, a Serial Killer's coded poetry, and a bit of 30's glitz and glamour to make Close Up one dishy read.

Close Up is the fourth of the Burning Cove standalone modern historical romantic suspenses. A reader would have no trouble jumping in here while a reader who got them in order will spot the previous pairs in the series.

Close Up does an entr'acte on the scene of a garish murder where moonlighting crime photographer, Vivian Brazier snaps a pic and tosses the lead detective a big clue about his Dagger Killer. Vivian might come from a San Francisco blue blood family, but her rep of sleeping with her art teacher and turning down a golden marriage opportunity has her parents fed up and cutting off the cash so she's hungry for a break. She pursues her dream of becoming an art photographer with the intuition of how to get the most out of her subject and the scene. Her series of pictures on men is barely getting started when the Dagger Killer decides to come after her.

Intuition has been a curse more than a gift for Nick Sundridge who takes a new job as bodyguard to a daring photographer who doesn't bat an eye over his fever dreams that guide him in his detective work just as he shocks her when he thinks she's got the talent to have her work in the exclusive galleries that keep snubbing her. Nick has his work cut out for him protecting Vivian from a coded poetry-writing assassin and the one who hired him especially when the danger is closer than they think.

Close Up is a delightful melding of historical backdrop that reminisces of Old Hollywood glamour and detective movies, edgy yet unusual characters like a lady crime photographer and a guy with a psychic sensitivity and a trained dog partner, clever suspense plot with a couple of twists, and a simmering romance that burns alongside the story building until it comes to a full sizzle.

Vivian is tough with soft edges. Her work is everything and she's been burned by men in love and in her career choice so she's wary of Nick. Nick has also had a bad experience with a woman so he matches her wariness all the while he is not intimidated by her talent and resourcefulness. He's protective without being smothering. They clicked well and it was rather low-angst as far as the romance letting the suspense plot carry the external conflict. And his dog is as welcome to the cast of characters as meeting up with other familiar faces from earlier books.

No one element of the story stands out so it was as a whole enchilada that I appreciated what I got. I love how the author achieved a nostalgic feeling as I read like the glamorous classic movies give me and I definitely want more. Fortunately, I jumped in at book three so I can go back and snag the first two books before the next book in the series releases. I can definitely recommend this to those who like modern era historic settings and a good romantic suspense.

My thanks to Berkley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Close Up by Amanda Quick was another thrilling romantic suspense in her Burning Cove series. I fell in love with Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz's writing style years ago and read each new book as soon as they are released.

Vivian Brazier is an "modern" woman in the 1930's who is determined to make it in the art world as a photographer. I liked her strength and relentless drive to her accomplish her dream. Nick Sundridge is enigmatic at first but Ms. Quick slowly peeled back the layers of Nick to show a quietly determined character that makes the most of his "curse" to help others. They made a great couple as they searched for answers. Vivian's sister, Lyra, was a great supporting character. She brought humor to many of the scenes which helped ease the tension for a short time before it ramped up again. Murders, an assassin, red herrings, few suspects and a huge twist at the end made this a riveting read for me.

I received a copy of this book from my local library.

Not as good as When She Dreams, but still highly entertaining. I like reading about all these weird bohemian psychic types running around 1930s Hollywood. It's a vibe.

4.5 stars

Close up is a murder mystery first, a love story second, and an expose into the world of art photography third. Vivian Brazier hides the fact that she take crime photos for the newspaper to pay the bills when her goal is to become a recognized art photographer. The California galleries won’t touch someone who does photojournalism. By using a pseudonym for her crime shots, she thinks she might make some headway in her art career.

When she discovers a link between the “Dagger Killer” and photography, she lets the police know-putting her squarely in the killer’s sights. When the Dagger Killer is killed, it becomes obvious that someone else is targeting her. Enter Nick Sundridge, a private eye, who suffers from what he considers to be a family curse, being able to go into a trance and see details of a scene not obvious to others. He has been hired by contacts to protect Vivien from the second killer.

As the two of them work together to solve the mystery of who is after her and why, they give in to their mutual attraction. But can he keep her safe from those who want to silence her? Vivien was a great character. Not only is she a woman trying to be a success in a traditionally men’s career, she is willing to be totally unconventional, even to photographing male hunks, at a time when it was unheard of for women to take photographs of men.

Nick is harder to warm up to. He’s reticent and take charge at the same time. But he certainly takes his job seriously as he works to protect her.

The plot twists and turns keep make Close Up a real page turner, with surprises coming right to the end.

Review copy provided for a voluntary review.

Amanda Quick is still having fun in 1930s California. This was an enjoyable outing--a twisty mystery, likeable lead characters, and a satisfying romance.
The author has wisely broadened the geographic area for her stories. Oh, we are still in Southern California, but most of the action takes place in the fictitious beach community of Adelina Beach. The hero and heroine do visit Burning Cove, however, so we do touch base with some of the people from earlier books.
In this one, our heroine, Vivian Brazier, is making her living as a free-lance news photographer. Our hero, Nick Sundridge, is a private investigator who 'sees' certain crimes before they happen. He appoints himself as Vivian's bodyguard after he has seen a death threat to her. And so, the fun begins. Vivian and Nick have a nice chemistry--snappy conversations, respect for each other's area of expertise, and just enough sexual tension to make the romance believable.
All ends well, of course. The baddies are all dealt with, the mysteries are solved, and Vivian and Nick get their HEA. This reader closed the book with a smile on her face.

Close Up by Amanda Quick aka Jayne Ann Krentz

Narrated by Morgan Hallett

I caught part of Jayne Ann Krentz’s Facebook live a few days ago. I was surprised that people were complaining about the era she is setting her historical romances in now. The last few books have been set in 1930s in a resort community just outside of Hollywood. Don’t get me wrong, I adored her regency romances, but this time period in history is so full of interesting breakthroughs in science and politics, music and technology.

The town of Burning Cove just outside of Hollywood is a hotspot for the rich and famous. Amanda Quick has crafted a town peopled with characters we’ve all come to know and love. Close up brings art photographer, Vivian Brazier to the cove when she becomes the target of a killer.

Nick Sundridge uses his talent to protect others. When he is sent to Vivian after she is attacked by the “Dagger Killer,” he knows there is more to this job than just protecting a stranger.

Vivian’s vision with the camera allows her to see the story inside her subjects. It makes her photographs more personal. It also allows her to see the darkness of a murderer, but will she realize too late the danger she is in?

The action-packed romance is in true Amanda Quick style, a little paranormal, a little suspense, a lot of drama, some humor and romance, wow, this is another example of why Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz is one of my favorite authors.

I’m addicted to audiobooks and Morgan Hallett did a fantastic job of narrating Close Up. She lent her talents to bringing this story to life, allowing us to see and hear the characters as if we are watching it on screen.

Originally published at Reading Reality

Close Up is the enchanting follow up to Tightrope, making it book 4 in the Burning Cove series. But don’t let that stop you from picking up this terrific historical romance, as there is very little that ties this book into the earlier books in the series, beginning with The Girl Who Knew Too Much.

Come to think of it, the entire series features women who know entirely too much, and who use that knowledge to solve murder sprees that they find themselves at the hearts of through absolutely no fault of their own.

Not that it’s remotely coincidental that bad things happen to them, just as it is far from coincidental that photographer Vivian Brazier becomes the target of not one but two murder attempts. The long arm of coincidence is seldom that long, and it certainly isn’t here – no matter how much it seems that the two plots are not related to each other – except in their choice of victim.

It’s up to Vivian, along with her temporary bodyguard, private investigator Nick Sundridge, to figure out who is after her and why – before it’s too late.

Escape Rating B+: The fun in this entry in the series is twofold. Of course there’s figuring out who is doing it. Not to mention, why are they doing it? Well not directly why. The murderer is planning to do Vivian in because he’s being paid to do it. The question is why would someone want to eliminate her?

Her family may be wealthy, but she’s been disowned. She’s a freelance crime photographer and hopeful art photographer, neither of which brought in “big bucks” during the Depression. She’s young and hopeful at the art photography, using the freelance crime photography to pay the rent. So no one is after the money she doesn’t have.

She’s still at the bottom rung of the ladder in her chosen profession, so she’s not in anyone’s way.

At least the first murder attempt was the direct result of her actions. She figured out, not who the “Dagger Killer” was, not exactly, but she narrowed the field enough for the police to hone in on their killer. Who tried to kill her first and failed.

The second plot seems to make no sense. But through investigating it we get to visit the point in history when the question of whether photography could possibly ever be considered “Art” was still the subject of considerable debate. (Man Ray, the famous artist and photographer, was working in Paris at this time, along with one of the characters of yesterday’s book, Salvador Dali)

Times when the world is in flux make fascinating backgrounds for stories and characters. Vivian is at the crux of this particular change, and it makes her compelling to follow. She’s a woman attempting to make a career in a man’s world, and that’s always a challenge. But she’s also a proponent of a new way of doing things at a time when the old way still holds sway. And she’s working at the juncture between commercialism and art, yet another turning point.

She’s right, she knows she’s right, but there’s a question of whether she will live to see her vision proven correct. Not just because she’s in the crosshairs of a murderer, but because pioneers in any field always wonder if they will make it during their own lifetimes.

And on top of it all, there’s a romance. I’ll admit that, like an earlier book in this series, The Other Lady Vanishes, I didn’t quite buy the romance. I expected it as part of the pattern for this series, but there wasn’t quite enough romantic tension between Vivian and Nick to really sell it, at least not for me.

But I still had a great time watching Vivian take on the establishment and help to save herself from being the murderer’s next victim. A murderer that, like both Vivian and Nick, I didn’t suss out until the very end.

Amanda Quick is an author that I love under all of her names, Quick for historical, Jayne Castle for futuristic and Jayne Ann Krentz for contemporary. I look forward to reading her next venture into romantic suspense, no matter when it is set or which name she publishes it under!

This felt hurried to me and I didn't feel much of a connection between the H/H.

Up Close
3.5 StarsSeries note: While the focus is on a new couple, the plot is a continuation of the twist at the end of the previous installment.

Art photographer Vivian Brazier is making ends meet by photographing crime scenes. It sounds simple enough until she notices something strange about the scene of a murdered actress and becomes the target of a deranged killer. Sent to protect Vivian, PI Nick Sundridge is immediately attracted to the photographer but is determined to keep his distance due to his family's "curse". Will Vivian and Nick be able to work together to stop a madman?

Amanda Quick's books are always entertaining comfort reads even though the characters and plots are often formulaic. This is definitely the case with Vivian and Nick who are basically carbon copies of Venetia Milton and Gabriel Jones in Second Sight. There is even mention of Nick finding a Jones diary helpful in dealing with his own "little problem".

While Vivian and Nick are engaging characters, their romance is only so-so mainly due to a lack of chemistry or emotional connection between them. They accept each others' pasts and flaws without reservation, and the reader must simply accept their declarations of love as fait accompli.

The assassin mystery is better than the romance and it is fun following the suspects as they emerge. It is interesting that such a quiet and unassuming woman should have so many people wishing her harm. While it all appears convoluted and confusing at first, it ultimately comes together and the climax and resolution are satisfying.

In sum, a predictable addition to the series but enjoyable nonetheless.

I've never quite liked this series as much as I wanted to, but this one worked pretty well for me, which I wasn't wholly expecting based on reviews from goodreads friends. But I liked the dynamic between the protagonists and I loved the photography stuff.

Review to come!

So crazy in love with this kind of mystery! Loved how both Nick and Vivian possessed special talent of seeing vision that helped save their lives and solve crimes! Reading the story felt like watching classic films of the 1930s. I got such a kick out of checking out cool fashion and learning culture of the era.

Burning Cove, California, as well as the other locations along the Californian coastline were dreamlike landscapes. They provided perfect background for crime scenes as well as to lure criminals to their end. I also enjoyed revisiting my favorite characters from the previous three books in the series. I absolutely loved how they assisted Nick and Vivian in ending one of the murderers in Burning Cove. To my utmost satisfaction, the murderers did meet their deserving punishment spectacularly! My blood thirsty heart would have danced the samba with glee on the rooftop, had it been able to!

Sharing one of my favorite scenes:

"If you're trying to convince me that I shouldn't fall in love with you, you're going about it all wrong," he said. "It's too late for the warning anyway. I fell in love with you the first time I saw you."

"I'm very glad to hear that because I love you with all my heart and I think you are excellent husband material. In fact, I think you would be the perfect husband for me."

Nick smiled his slow, breath-taking smile, the smile that heated his eyes and hit her senses like a glass of champagne. . . "Are you asking me to marry you?"

I received this book as an ARC for an honest review. While this is not the first book by Amanda Quick that I have read, it is the first book I’ve read in this series. She did not disappoint! I read this book every chance I got - waiting at appointments, lunch breaks, bedtime (just finishing this one chapter, lol) - you get it. I will be getting the first three books in this series next!

4.5 Stars

It has been a very long time since I have read an Amanda Quick novel, but I am so glad to have taken a chance with this one. Although it is the fourth in this series, it is also what could be called a stand-alone novel. Each book deals with a different couple.

The era (the 1930's) that the author chose is just perfect, and I wholeheartedly believe that she has done excellent research into that time period. This era was the era of the flapper, women wearing pants, and breaking into what has always been considered 'men's' work. But Vivian is also working on the quiet as a photojournalist.

In this book, Vivian (the main female character) is breaking into photography as an art form. (think nude male models!) One of the unusual things about Vivian is that she has a strong intuition, and she puts that to good use. The male protagonist, Nick, also has some paranormal leanings, and he meets up with Vivian in a most unusual way.

The story is exciting, frustrating, suspenseful, informative as to the historical background, confusing yet straightforward. The ending seemed to have come out of the blue. In other words, I love it, and I am planning on buying the three earlier novels that I've missed.

*ARC supplied by the publisher.

1930's Glamour, Mystery. Suspence. Romance. What's not to like?
Burning Cove California in the 1930's is one of my favorite destinations. Close Up is a stand-alone read and also Book 4 in the Burning Cove series.
Vivian Brazier supports her new career as an Art Photgrapher by taking crime scene photos. Only now someone's attempting to make her the next murder victim.
Nick Sundridge is the disturbing, enigmatic detective assigned to protect her. I loved the hint of paranormal in Nick.
The action is non-stop and the peripheral characters are great. And I learned a lot about photography in that era. So much fun. Now I want to re-read the entire series. Thank you JAK, Please write more Burning Cove.

Long-time Amanda Quick aka Jayne Castle aka Jayne Ann Krentz fan here, and I just realized I have been reading this author for almost forty years! Best thing about her writing, though, is I never grow tired of her style, her “perfect pitch” author’s voice, or her wonderful stories.

CLOSE UP is a perfect example. Set in the 1930s, the story has that edgy “film noir” feel to it—a tough, independent heroine, a jaded hero with a sense of honor that can’t be shaken, and a string of gruesome murders. Crime scene photographer Vivian Brazier senses a strange similarity beyond the antique daggers used in each killing--information which makes her a target of the murderer.

Nick Sundridge has an uncanny ability to “see” things that others can’t. The downside of graphic visions and terrifying nightmares along with his cloudy past have made him a veritable recluse, but his talent—which he views more as a curse—makes him a successful investigator. He is uniquely qualified to protect Vivian, and he’s brought in when it’s obvious she is in danger.

The mystery rolls out beautifully and the interplay between the cynical investigator and the gutsy photographer is just flat out fun. I read this book in a single day because I could not walk away from it. Highly recommended for fans of Amanda Quick or anyone who just really loves a good, old-fashioned crime story. The characters in this one are terrific!

3.5 stars
A tight romantic thriller, proving once more that Amanda Quick is the queen of the genre. The plot is complex, braiding together several interconnected motivations. The pacing is fast, the tension high, and the characters charming and 3-dimensional. The love story is in the background, while the heroine and the hero struggle to figure out who is trying to kill her and why. And stop the killer.
Overall: a thoroughly satisfying read.