Deadly Illusions (Francesca Cahill Novels)

Rating:
Summary: Another Great Read
Review: Another great work by Ms. Joyce. The mystery keeps you guessing, but I'm more intrigued by all the relationships and those trying to sabatoge them!! As always, can't wait for the next installment to learn more!

Rating:
Summary: Different publisher same great series
Review: I have been hooked on this series since the beginning. It was very hard to wait for this novel, but it was worth waiting for. Fran Cahill is the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in NY at the turn of the century. She is engaged to an even wealthier and more powerful man. They have a bit of a conflict over the fact that she had been in love with his biggest rival, his half brother, who just happens to be the Police Commissioner of NYC. Fran and Rick have solved quite a few crimes together, and still work together, in spite of strain over her recent engagement, and his injured wife.

This latest story involves a killer called the Slasher, who kills young women of Irish descent. One of the victims lives near Fran's friend Maggie Kennedy's home. She fears that Maggie and another acquaintance from a previous case, could become victims also. The murder mystery is full of twists and turns and possible murderers. Bragg's problems within the Police Department continue to evolve, Chief Farr is a definite problem. Calder's reputation endangers the engagement, Mr. Cahill is very much against it. Daisy Jones, the former mistress causes alot of trouble also. All in all this one is one of the best of the series. I couldn't put it down once I started it, unfortunately, it will be a long time before the next one.

Rating:
Summary: AMAZING book
Review: If you have been keeping up with the Francesca Cahill series, let me just tell you that the series is getting better and better. I love the relationship between Calder and Fran. Lots of drama, steamy love scenes, and a wonderful surprise in the last 2 pages of the book (well, I was surprised.) I can't wait until the next one comes out!!!

Rating:
Summary: excellent historical mystery
Review: In 1902 Manhattan, the Slasher has attacked three working class Irish women; the first two survived the ordeal, but the third victim is dead. Fearing for her friend Maggie Kennedy who lives in the same neighborhood that is under assault, heiress sleuth Francesca Cahill begins to investigate the vicious crimes over the objection of her fiancé successful businessman Calder Hart. He does not want her in harm's way or hanging out with his rival his half-brother married Police Commissioner Rick Bragg because Francesca and Rick were once thought to be in love.

Still Francesca is an independent person and no one, even her future spouse, will tell her what she cannot do. She makes inquiries and visits the crime scenes where she runs into Rick. Suspects are everywhere especially estranged spouses and fiancés, but in spite of the combined efforts of Rick and Francesca the Slasher strikes again. To catch this killer Francesca knows she must be the bait.

The seventh Cahill historical mystery provides Brenda Joyce's audience with a wonderful lamplight look at Manhattan at the turn of the century. The story line is fast-paced but loaded with intricate family relationships that bring to life the key players especially the half-brothers, Rick's wife, and the heroine. The who-done-it is fun as the suspects seem plentiful and the moving forward on relational fronts provides a freshness somewhat lacking in the last two books, but DEADLY ILLUSIONS is at its best lighting up 1902 New York City.

Harriet Klausner


Rating:
Summary: a pleasant, undemanding read
Review: Society sleuth Francesca Cahill should be bursting with happiness and glee: she's engaged to suave, rakish Calder Harte, who appreciates her intelligence and independence, and who has promised not to stand in her way. Except that circumstances and people keep trying to put a damper on her happiness. To begin with her father isn't too pleased with her engagement, and has only reluctantly agreed to it at her mother's cajoling. And then there is Calder's ex-mistress, Daisy, who is determined to drive a wedge between Francesca and Calder. And then there is Calder's jealously for his half-brother, police commissioner Rick Bragg, who Francesca was once enamored with. So that when Francesca begins to work closely with Bragg in order to nab a mad man who is attacking poor Irishwomen, her relationship with her fiance begins to feel the strains of jealousy and suspicion. Francesca is at her wit's end as to how she should cope with Calder's jealousy and the machinations of others. But in the meantime, there is a mad man to stop...

This latest Francesca Cahill was a fast and undemanding read, more for fans of the series than anything else, and perfect for the ultimate bus/train/'plane trip. The mystery subplot held few surprises even though it was a rather well conceived one -- longtime mystery addicts might be able to spot the mad killer at once, however. No, one does not really read the Francesca Cahill "Deadly" novels for the mystery at hand. Rather, one reads them in order to catch up with how various character are faring: is Francesca really over Rick Bragg, and is she happy with her engagement to the dangerously rakish Calder Hart? Will Rick make an attempt to mend his marriage with his estranged wife, Leigh Ann? Will Francesca's brother, Evan, marry his mistress, Bartolla? Or will he finally admit his feelings for Irish seamstress, Maggie Kennedy? And what will happen between artist Sarah Canning and Rick Bragg's other half brother, Rourke Bragg? How Brenda Joyce weaves in these intricate relationships into the mysteries at hand is what makes thsi series so fascinating. She makes us care for the characters and glad that some of the relationships (at least) are working out. I know that I'm rather glad that Francesca has realised her true feelings for Calder Harte -- he was always, in my opinion anyway, her perfect match. And how the murder subplot works to highlight these relationships is what makes eading "Deadly Illusions" so enjoyable. All in all, a pleasant undemanding read.

Rating:
Summary: Another Great Hit!!!
Review: The 7th novel to the Fancesca Cahill series is just as great as the ones before it! I was captivated throughout the whole story and I can't wait for the next one to come out! Brenda Joyce is an amazing writer and I only hope that the books I write will be half as good as hers!

Rating:
Summary: Another Great Book in the "Deadly Saga"
Review: When reading this series you find that you love each book more than the last, and love the fact that there are more books to come! Ms. Joyce definitly knows what her readers want to read in this series. The relationship between Francesca Cahill and Calder Hart is one of my favorites of all time. The other characters in this series are all interesting and you can't help but wonder what is in store for all of them.