Deadly Illusions (Francesca Cahill Novels) (ISBN 077832138X)

Repetitious...but still addictive. I remain hooked!:
"Deadly Illusions" is author Brenda Joyce's seventh installment in the historical mystery/romance series featuring New York City debutante Francesca Cahill. Ms. Cahill, society bluestocking, and heiress to a considerable fortune, has done remarkably well so far as an amateur sleuth, NYC's first female private investigator and a major novelty in her chosen profession. It is only 1902, after all, and women still have seventeen more years before the United States Congress and Senate approve the 19th Amendment, giving them the right to vote. Francesca has solved the case of the City Strangler, the brutal Cross Killer mystery, two child kidnappings, several murders, captured a stalker, discovered the ringleaders of a child prostitution ring and had them put behind bars, restoring the young girls to their families, and thus has earned the right to call herself "Crime-Solver Extraordinaire," as printed on her Tiffany embossed business cards. Of course she has had the assistance of her dear friend and former love, police commissioner Rick Bragg, to teach her the ropes. Unfortunately for the nascent romance, Rick's estranged wife, Leigh Ann, returned from a lengthy stay in Europe, and nipped it in the bud. In "Deadly Promises," the novel prior to this one, Leigh Ann is crippled in an accident and, extremely depressed, she has given up on starting life anew with her husband - just when Rick realizes he never stopped loving her. Calder Hart, Rick's half brother, wealthy art connoisseur, rogue and rake, is bent on reforming his ways now that he is engaged to marry Francesca. However, he has serious misgivings about the marriage as his feelings for his fiancee intensify. At times he is convinced that he is not good enough for her, a sentiment shared by Andrew Cahill, Fran's father, Rick Bragg, Daisy Jones, Calder's former mistress who is out for revenge, and various other members of society. Francesca believes in Calder despite his past and realizes she loves him. Clearly the two are an eccentric match made in heaven. Not only do they share a firm friendship, she is Calder's first and only friend, but sparks fly when they're together. While the ever addictive soap opera continues, our amateur sleuth discovers that three working class Irish women have had their throats cut, with a dull knife, by a madman newspaper reporters have dubbed The Slasher. Two of the victims survived but one was stabbed and strangled to death. Maggie Kennedy, Fran's friend and the mother of young assistant detective Joel Kennedy, is an acquaintance and neighbor of the three women, and is thought to be in danger also. She fits the victim profile. Of course Ms. Cahill is determined to catch the killer before he strikes again. Miss Joyce's storyline is not as strong here as it has been in the last two installments of the Cahill/Bragg/Hart mystery/suspense romances. As always, the mysteries are secondary to the various relationships between the fascinating cast of characters. However, not too much is going on this time around, and the constant repetition of various predicaments, especially Calder's and Francesca's jealousy of each other, and the constant sparring and bickering among the overly competitive half brothers is tiring and melodramatic. This case is one of the least interesting in the series, and is repetitious also. Women who live in New York City's tenements are being victimized and a woman hating perpetrator is on the loose. So, what else is new? As a matter of fact, many of the author's male villains hate women, including the police chief. I would like to see some variation in character flaws and criminal behavior. I must admit I am still hooked on the series, the developing characters and their ongoing, individual stories. These books actually seems more like soap opera episodes and installments in a serial novel rather than stand alone romance/mysteries. If you are interested, I would suggest reading the previous Francesca Cahill novels before "Deadly Illusions," as this is a continuing saga and extremely addictive. I warn you there are many flaws, but I have just finished seven books - so what else can I say? Come meet these personages, if you have the patience, and become involved in their lives, loves, traumas, mysteries, and the delightful historical setting of 1902-1903 New York City, with its society balls and glitter, the tenements and roughs, gambling halls and beautiful, exotic call girls. Seth Low, the mayor, was recently elected on a reform platform to fight the Tammany Hall machine, and the police commissioner he appointed took some of the actions the fictional Rick Bragg has taken and faced many of the same difficult issues Bragg faces in attempting to reform the terribly corrupt police department. If Ms Joyce takes the series past 1903, Rick will be out of a job as the next administration is a "Tammany beast." Perhaps, Bragg will use the opportunity to run for Senator. ENJOY!! I am. JANA

Deadly Dull:
I don't know how anyone can hang in there and read 7 stories like this. I couldn't find any redeeming qualities. How can you call Francesca sleuth extraordinaire when she in turn suspected every guy with any connection to the victims. It was just a guessing game with her. These stories are just full of mixed up people's sex lives. The things they give Francesca credit for solving are a bit much and only 20 years of age. It's a good thing she lives at home on her family's money with people to dress and feed her cause it's obvious she couldn't do it on her own. And if Evan marries Bartolla, he needs his head examined! She's pregnant? that's the oldest trick in the books. Take her to a doctor for pete's sake. I won't be looking for the next installment in this saga.

Brenda Joyce Scores Again:
I have the whole series by Brenda Joyce with Francesca Cahill, absolutely love them!! This one was the best by far, I won't give it away, you just have to read it. The ending was so good, I just don't have the words to explain how much. Also, don't miss out on the rest of the series. Francesca Cahill is a very spirited, level-headed character, trying be a detective during a period in time when that was very much a man's territory. This whole series is such a refreshing change from your every day romance novel. All I can say is, if you're looking for a good suspense, mystery and romance all wrapped up into one book, this is it.

I love this series:
I am so glad that Brenda Joyce has continued this series. I love the characters and the way she writes.

Brenda Joyce does it again.....:
Loved this book, great romance novel with a little thriller on the side. The romance between Calder and Francesca is the best there is, I adore how they grew on each other and having Rick Bragg on the side adds a little twist and spice. Evan Cahill and Maggie Kennedy; Sarah Channing and Rourke Bragg are sub-plots that just makes this book one of the best. Keep them coming Ms. Joyce, I sure would love to read more. Do not mind the other reviewers that don't seem to get it, they can go read some other book.