From Booklist
Unconventional, reform-minded heiress Francesca Cahill has earned a reputation as an effective amateur sleuth, primarily through her work with New York City police commissioner Rick Bragg. Asked to look into the disappearance of young Emily O'Hare, Francesca discovers that Emily is not the only pretty girl who has gone missing in the last year. Unfortunately, Francesca's partnership with Rick has now become complicated since not only has Rick's former wife returned to him, but Francesca has recently received an offer of marriage from Calder Hart, Rick's wealthy half-brother and longtime rival. While trying to unsnarl her tangled romantic interests, Francesca finds she must rely on both Rick and Calder if she is to have any chance at finding the abducted girls. The sixth in a series picks up Francesca's story after the unexpected proposal she received in Deadly Love (2001), and Joyce expertly manipulates Francesca's deeply conflicted feelings for two very different men into an elegant blend of mystery and romance simmering with sexual tension. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Review
"Marvelous." -Romantic Times

"[A] fabulous ensemble of characters...for the reader who likes historicals, mysteries, and a dash of sensuality and romance thrown in...this is definitely the book for you." -The Best Reviews



Book Description
It is March of 1902, and Francesca Cahill-Fifth Avenue heiress, undaunted political activist and intrepid amateur sleuth-has just learned of a grave new danger haunting the streets of New York. A beautiful teenage girl named Emily O'Hare is missing and Francesca fears that the girl has been abducted. Only one person can help her learn the child's fate-but Police Commissioner Rick Bragg may not want to get involved because Francesca has just stunned Rick by accepting a proposal of marriage...from none other than his own rival.

Francesca still questions her decision to marry the powerful and notorious Calder Hart. But Rick Bragg is wed to another...and his dazzling wife has just returned after four years abroad to reclaim their marriage. Francesca remains torn between the two very different men-but she desperately tries to set aside the affairs of her heart when she discovers that Emily isn't the first girl to vanish in recent weeks. And when Francesca discovers a trail of deception and lies, when someone very close to her investigation is murdered, Francesca realizes that the evil force behind the girls' abductions may try to find a way to silence her too-if she dares to uncover the truth...



Back Cover Copy
With her beloved Francesca Cahill novels, New York Times bestselling author Brenda Joyce has created a truly memorable series that brings turn-of-the-century New York City vividly to life. Readers enter a world where danger, passion and intrigue mingle on every gas-lit street-and where promises come at a most frightening price...

Deadly Promise
It is March of 1902, and Francesca Cahill-Fifth Avenue heiress, undaunted political activist and intrepid amateur sleuth-has just learned of a grave new danger haunting the streets of New York. A beautiful teenage girl named Emily O'Hare is missing and Francesca fears that the girl has been abducted. Only one person can help her learn the child's fate-but Police Commissioner Rick Bragg may not want to get involved because Francesca has just stunned Rick by accepting a proposal of marriage...from none other than his own rival.

Francesca still questions her decision to marry the powerful and notorious Calder Hart. But Rick Bragg is wed to another...and his dazzling wife has just returned after four years abroad to reclaim their marriage. Francesca remains torn between the two very different men-but she desperately tries to set aside the affairs of her heart when she discovers that Emily isn't the first girl to vanish in recent weeks. And when Francesca discovers a trail of deception and lies, when someone very close to her investigation is murdered, Francesca realizes that the evil force behind the girls' abductions may try to find a way to silence her too-if she dares to uncover the truth...



About the Author
Brenda Joyce is the author of 26 novels. She lives in Colorado.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

It is March of 1902, and Francesca Cahill-Fifth Avenue heiress, undaunted political activist and intrepid amateur sleuth-has just learned of a grave new danger haunting the streets of New York. A beautiful teenage girl named Emily O'Hare is missing and Francesca fears that the girl has been abducted. Only one person can help her learn the child's fate-but Police Commissioner Rick Bragg may not want to get involved because Francesca has just stunned Rick by accepting a proposal of marriage...from none other than his own rival.

Francesca still questions her decision to marry the powerful and notorious Calder Hart. But Rick Bragg is wed to another...and his dazzling wife has just returned after four years abroad to reclaim their marriage. Francesca remains torn between the two very different men-but she desperately tries to set aside the affairs of her heart when she discovers that Emily isn't the first girl to vanish in recent weeks. And when Francesca discovers a trail of deception and lies, when someone very close to her investigation is murdered, Francesca realizes that the evil force behind the girls' abductions may try to find a way to silence her too-if she dares to uncover the truth...

SYNOPSIS