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Book Review of Tempting the Devil

Tempting the Devil
reviewed on + 3389 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1


In Meredith County, law enforcement officials and Atlanta Observer reporter Robin Stuart are stunned with the assassination of three cops shot in the back of their heads gang style. FBI Agent Ben Taylor follows the news on the cop killings. At this time he has no entry into the homicide investigation though his gut believes the deadly Southern Mafia Hydra, a group he has under surveillance, did the act.

Robin finds a frightened source, which can connect the murders to the Hydra. Now she is caught between three pulls as local law enforcement, the Hydra, and Ben demand she reveal her intimidated tipster. She refuses to tell the cops or Ben as she does not trust any of them even with a threat of contempt of court jailing. However, the Hydra provides a more powerful incentive to tell all with only Ben, who distrusts journalists, to keep her and her source safe.

Though using murder instead of outing a CIA agent, Patricia Potter personalizes the question of how far should a reporter go to protect her sources. Obviously the NYT Miller went to jail, but Robin has more to lose as the Hydra will maim or kill to get to her source. The story line is action-packed especially once the lead couple meets and realizes they share two things in common, distrust and desire. Fans will appreciate this romantic suspense with the emphasis on the action.

Harriet Klausner