Book Review: Hot Shot

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Hot Shot     Amazon US PB Amazon UK PB Amazon Canada PB
Charlotte Hughes
Class/Genre:   Romance
Mira, Sep 2002, $6.50, 384 pp.

Atlanta police detective Francis "Frankie" Daniels throws her hard earned career away when she is caught in bed with her married partner Jim Connors. The incident would have gone away except the father of three happens to be the son-in-law of the police commissioner. Knowing she made a mistake though she was vulnerable when she performed the act, Frankie agrees to go into exile accepting a job on the Purdyville, South Carolina police force.

Her arrival in the small town starts off bad when her rental is burned to the ground by arson. It goes worse when she mouths off not knowing that the listener is her new boss, Police Chief Matt Webber. It finally culminates in her beating up Willie Jack Pitts, a womanizer who tries to paw her. As Matt and Frankie fall in love, they investigate the murder of Willie Jack even as she rejects the courtship of the Chief since she believes he is a womanizer just like Jim is.

HOT SHOT is an exciting police procedural romance that never slows down especially when Frankie takes the small town by storm. The story line is fast-paced with an engaging investigation. Matt is a strong lead protagonist and the support cast provides a feel for small town Southern living. Though readers will admire Frankie’s courage and dedication, they will insist that Charlotte Hughes place her on decaf if she ever returns to Purdyville in future novels.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner