Welcome to Burning Cove, California where 1930s Hollywood glamour conceals a ruthless killer… what’s paying the bills.
After shooting crime scene photos of a famous actress, the latest victim of the murderer the press has dubbed the “Dagger Killer,” Vivian notices eerie similarities to the crime scenes of previous victims—details that only another photographer would have noticed—details that put Vivian at the top of the killer’s target list.
Nick Sundridge has always been able to “see” things that others don’t, coping with disturbing dreams and visions. His talent, or as he puts it—his curse—along with his dark past makes him a recluse, but a brilliant investigator. As the only one with the ability to help, Nick is sent to protect Vivian. Together, they discover the Dagger Killer has ties to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood royalty and high society. It is a cutthroat world of allure and deception that Vivian and Nick must traverse—all in order to uncover the killer who will stop at nothing to add them to their gallery of murders.
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I’m a total sucker for this series set against the glamorous 1930s. Quick (aka Jayne Ann Krentz) always delivers a fast moving plot, humor, and mystery. I love to see if I can stay one step ahead of her solving the crime but, alas, I never do.
A fabulous story set in the fascinating period of 1930s Hollywood. I loved learning about photography in that era in addition to enjoying the perfectly crafted romance and suspense!
Close-up is part of Amanda Quick’s “Burning Cove” historical romantic suspense series. I believe it takes place in the 1930s, but if the book mentioned the actual date, I didn’t notice it when listening to the audiobook. Amanda Quick (aka Jayne Ann Krentz) often adds a paranormal element to her books, and this one includes a hero and heroine with very strong intuitions. There’s more suspense than there is romance, but it’s a book that will keep your interest until the end. I look forward to more Burning Cove books.
I think it’s safe to say that the author has found her feet in the era between WWI and WWII. I’m something of a history buff and it’s a real joy to read a novel set in this era. It was a time when women who went against society’s accepted mores for them struggled for acceptance.
I don’t want to spoil the ending, but I will say that by having all the bad guys turn out to NOT be red herrings was a stroke of genius. I look forward to the next book.
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!
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.
Fabulous book by Amanda Quick!!! I couldn’t put it down!!!
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.
Amanda Quick, the pseudonym for Jayne Ann Krentz, is one of my Must Read authors of historical paranormal romance. Close Up is another book that takes place in the town of Burning Cove in California during the depression. In Close Up the female lead character is a society drop out who is trying to become a photographer. Her paranormal trait is an “inner eyes that allows her to see the secrets that a person may be trying to hide. Her male main character, a private detective who has visions what he refers to as “fever dreams” that help him solve mysteries. This novel, as in the two previous novels in the Burning Cove series, are all about the mystery and suspense. The romance as well as the paranormal aspects are very subtle, as one might expect in this era. The characters are strong individuals who defy society norms both with their sexual practices as well as their paranormal talents. But they are not quick to expose themselves to undue stress of that openly displaying their talents might provoke.
Amanda Quick has a way of taking you inside the glamorous world of nightclubs and celebrity hotels that sprung up at the time,in order to get people’s minds off the depression that followed the Great War. It is though the reader is living the story right along with the characters! Her character development is such that even the support characters as well as the main characters seem real. The plot is riveting, with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing to the very end who the culprit is.
Close Up is a very entertaining read that kept me up late into the night wondering how it was going to end. And once it ended I wanted to pull up the whole series and read it all over again! See for yourself why Amanda Quick is on my must read list all the time!
My library picked this book out for me for Blind Date with a Book February. It’s a 1930s romantic suspense with a serial killer and a photographer and some paranormal aspects. I enjoyed it. It was completely different from anything I’ve read before. I didn’t realize it was part of a series until I went to post my review. There is some steam.
I’ve read all four of the books in the Burning Cove series, and this one is by FAR the best (though they’re all great!). These characters will stay with you long after you finish the last page and close the book, and each book in the series leaves me wanting more. And on a somewhat shallow note, the absolutely gorgeous cover on the hardback drew me in as well!
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 hitchcock 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
I’m a long-time Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz fan. As always, she dazzles readers with a riveting story told in her inimitable voice!
I haven’t read a Quick book I didn’t like, though I am partial to her earlier ones prior to her paranormal/ESP tropes. Nothing like those single word title books (Surrender, Ravished, Desire, etc.). They kept me up late and into the morning. These later ones are more polished and nuanced, and yeah, I do like the paranormal tropes, though Quick is a light touch with them. Highly recommend this latest one and I saw she has two new books already scheduled for May.
Vivian Brazier is an errant heiress turned photographer who has been financially cut off by her wealthy father. She wants to create artistic photos (not yet accepted as an art form in the 30s), so she has to make her living as a crime scene photo journalist. Through one of her pictures, she gives the cops a clue to a serial killer, which puts her in the sights of the killer and the person who hired him.
Nick Sundridge, a somewhat psychic PI, is hired as her body guard to protect her from being murdered. Info has come out in a mysterious journal found by Luther Pell, Burning Cove nightclub owner, a man who has unsubstantiated connections to both the underworld and the FBI.
This is a fun story with brave and likable characters, and as always with Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz, a great mystery.
You just can’t go wrong with a story by this author. Loved these characters and the plot. Always looking forward to reading the next book by Quick.
A perfect choice for lounging in a hammock on a hot summer afternoon–mystery, romance, glamorous 1930s California, and the snappy writing and dialogue that’s a hallmark of Amanda Quick. I gobbled it up and would recommend any of the Burning Cove books for a stay-at-home summer getaway.
Love this book & series!! This is book 4 in the Burning Cove series & it was just as amazing as the other books!! This was Vivian Brazier & Nick Sundridge’s story (also Nick’s adorable dog Rex), it could be read as a standalone but it does mention & include characters from the other books. Vivian is a photographer whose life is in danger after someone tried to kill her & Nick is hired to protect her. The book has great characters, romance, mystery, suspense and an ending you won’t be expecting!! I also like that Vivian is a strong, independent woman & Nick respects that of her, even better they respect each other. Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz is one of my favorite authors & never disappoints!! Maybe Vivian’s sister Lyra’s story will be next!
Close Up by Amanda Quick, a thrilling mystery, with romance, friendship, and murder. I was on the edge of my seat.
Will Vivian and Nick come to an understanding, or will the murder take them both out?
Vivian Brazier
Vivian is a wealthy socialite from San Francisco. However, she doesn’t act as you would expect. Vivian is a photographer, or instead, she wants to be one but hasn’t entirely made it yet. So, since her parents don’t approve of her dream, they have closed her accounts. This predicament doesn’t stop Vivian though, she heads to Los Angeles and does what is needed to pay the bills. Hence, she has become what we call a photojournalist. Some would say she has a special gift for finding her subject’s secrets.
I love Vivian’s tenacity and the way she treats all of her subjects with respect. She seems to see down into your soul. Then there is her connection with Nick, which is right there. Oh, and she has lots of courage and bravery.
Nick Sundridge
Nick is open to things that others can’t fathom. He believes that his family has been cursed. Whether on not it has or hasn’t isn’t even a question as Nick learns to cope with the dreams that his gift gives him. Although it has taken a while for Nick to learn these things and a previous love hurt him. Yet, Nick is strong and intelligent, which is what Vivian sees.
I like the character, Nick. He is independent and sees them more than most. Nick and Vivian make a nice pair and complement each other well.
The Mystery
At first, I was a bit confused as we don’t start in Burning Cove. However, Ms. Quick brings us about relatively fast, and now I love the beginning as it shows us Vivian’s strength. So, we have a few things going on. There is the “Dagger Killer.” We have to find who wrote the coded journal from the last book Tightrope, and figure out who ordered Vivian’s death and why? I loved this romantic mystery, and the ending is so fabulously written.
Five Stars
Close Up by Amanda Quick’s rating is five stars. There is just something about the 1930s, Hollywood, and this version of the California coast that I love. So, when Ms. Quick adds in the mystery and romance, it’s like heaven. Ok, maybe not heaven, but it is exemplary. If you haven’t read this series, you seriously should.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Close Up by Amanda Quick.
This Guest Review is for Baroness’ Book Trove.
Until the next time,
~Jen
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Great who done it story with many twists!