Body Heat

Dept. 6 Hired Guns, Book 2

By: Brenda Novak

Narrated by: Cris Dukehart

Twelve people have been shot at point-blank range and left to rot in the desert sun. It’s Sophia St. Claire’s job to do something about it. She’s Bordertown, Arizona’s new chief of police - and she’s out of her depth. Help arrives in the form of Department 6 hired gun Roderick Guerrero. As far as Sophia’s concerned, his involvement only makes things worse. Maybe he’s managed to turn his life around. And maybe he’s a good investigator. But as the bastard son of a wealthy local rancher, he has a history he can’t get past. A history that includes her. Rod refuses to leave town until the killer is caught. He’s not worried about the danger posed by some vigilante. It’s Sophia who threatens him. Because he’s used to risking his life - but his heart is another story.

©2010 Brenda Novak (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Good book but series weakness

When I look at a series I like to see characters continue and grow with each book. (Like the Cynsters). While this book is as good as the first in the series, the only connection is Department 6 and Arizona.

Great Read

Body Heat (Dept 6 Hired Guns, #2) was a great read by Brenda Novak. There were twelve people that have been shot and left to rot in the desert. Sophia St. Claire is the new chief of police in Bordertown, Arizona. It is her job to find out who is killing these people, but it isn’t easy to figure out. She receives help from Roderick, a man who works for Department 6. But she thinks his past will make it hard to get the answers needed. He is the bastard son of one of the local wealthy ranchers. I really enjoyed reading Sophia and Rod’s story and can’t wait to read more by Brenda Novak.

More Bodies!

Sophia is Bordertown’s police chief. While she is good at what she does, because of her age she doesn’t have the total confidence of the town council in her ability to do her job. It doesn’t help that she is being set up by a former deputy to make her look incompetent because he desires her job. Next problem; former bad boy, bastard son and brother, who has made good, arrives and shows her clues she has missed in the case. Why is he here? Who brought him here? And Why? This story had some great twists and turns like the previous story, there are elements you just don’t see coming till they smack you in the face.
While this is supposed to be a series this story can stand on its own, there is no involvement of previous characters.
Cris did a fine job with the narration.

2 ½ stars.

Ok for romantic suspense but generic writing. Contrivances and stupidity bothered me.

Author used too many bad guys. Police chief Sophia is searching for a serial killer. Early in the story we see Leonard plant bugs in her home, car and office. He uses what he hears against her and causes problems. Next Sophia talks to someone and the reader learns he is also a bad guy who plans to harm her but she doesn’t know it. Other bad guys are added later. It’s a conspiracy of people Sophia trusts or interacts with, and gradually as the story progresses new ones come to light - not the best kind of plot for me.

Examples of contrivance and stupidity. 1. Sophia and Rod escape a dangerous situation but part ways because someone wants to show Rod something. This was an artificial contrivance that was carried on far too long to extend the mystery. The guy could have told Rod about a picture he saw - which was a clue to the killer’s identity. But he took Rod away from Sophia when she was fleeing from killers. The guy makes Rod wait in the car while he soothes his wife who is upset about something. Then they eventually go to a place where he shows Rod the picture. 2. During this separation Rod and Sophia have cell phones but they don’t tell each other what is going on. Sophia almost gets killed and is at the hospital with another victim. She should walk outside the hospital door and call Rod to tell him what happened but she doesn’t because a little boy wants her to stay with him in the waiting room. She says come with me for a minute while I make a call. The boy doesn’t want to so Sophia stays with him and does not make the call. Shootings and murders are happening but she won’t call Rod? 3. Sophia hears gun shots inside a house. She goes inside and finds someone safe. She puts her gun on the bed and goes over to comfort that person. Meanwhile bad guy walks in with his gun. Sophia’s gun is too far away to reach. There was more stupidity.

AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
Cris Dukehart was good. But at times her reading of general narration (non-dialogue) was too much like reading. Other narrators read non-dialogue parts with a sense of wonder or curiosity. Hers wasn’t as good. But she was good enough, just not the best. I was pleased that she used a quality microphone screen - so I did not hear her breaths.

Narrative mode: 3rd person.
Genre: romantic suspense.

Take a chance many twists and turns!

This is a series that is completely different from the author's typical sweet but quirky love romances set in small towns that build upon each other. Department 6 is one you'll either love or leave if you're one of her usual readers who find this. Is it good? Yes! However.... it isn't really a romance. Most of her books would absolutely be categorized as a romance - this one has a couple in it but unlike the others that is not the point. The point is the world around them - I love the fact that the female lead in this one is an incredibly strong woman - a leader in her own right. She's the police chief - it isn't easy but by God you see her strength through that. Each of the main characters really bring something to the story. The elements in it really do cause major turning points in the book and in their lives. People today could even relate to many of the sentiments relating to illegal crossings of the border.

The narrator did a really good job bringing the author's words to life. You wouldn't get as many of the highs and lows reading from paper as you do with a good narrator. Its like reading a play versus seeing one. Can you read a story? Absolutely! However a good narrator can give that world an additional depth that many times you may miss just reading it on the page.

An okay read with a somewhat predictable ending!

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I did not like the beginning chapter of the book, but as the book progressed, the beginning chapter made sense.

Would you be willing to try another book from Brenda Novak? Why or why not?

For sure! I have all of her books and I think she is the best writer ever!

What three words best describe Cris Dukehart’s voice?

Her voice works!

Do you think Body Heat needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No, because this is not one of the strongest books in the series.

Any additional comments?

Love Brenda Novak's books and will continue to buy them.