Up Close
3.5 Stars

Series note: While the focus is on a new couple, the plot is a continuation of the twist at the end of the previous installment.

Art photographer Vivian Brazier is making ends meet by photographing crime scenes. It sounds simple enough until she notices something strange about the scene of a murdered actress and becomes the target of a deranged killer. Sent to protect Vivian, PI Nick Sundridge is immediately attracted to the photographer but is determined to keep his distance due to his family's "curse". Will Vivian and Nick be able to work together to stop a madman?

Amanda Quick's books are always entertaining comfort reads even though the characters and plots are often formulaic. This is definitely the case with Vivian and Nick who are basically carbon copies of Venetia Milton and Gabriel Jones in Second Sight. There is even mention of Nick finding a Jones diary helpful in dealing with his own "little problem".

While Vivian and Nick are engaging characters, their romance is only so-so mainly due to a lack of chemistry or emotional connection between them. They accept each others' pasts and flaws without reservation, and the reader must simply accept their declarations of love as fait accompli.

The assassin mystery is better than the romance and it is fun following the suspects as they emerge. It is interesting that such a quiet and unassuming woman should have so many people wishing her harm. While it all appears convoluted and confusing at first, it ultimately comes together and the climax and resolution are satisfying.

In sum, a predictable addition to the series but enjoyable nonetheless. ( )

I'm still really loving the world of Burning Cove, although we only spend part of the book there this time. Nick was steady and dependable and worried about all women finding him weird (which pretty describes every Arcane hero). Vivian is the real selling point here and you're just happy that in Nick she's found someone to match her.

This isn't the first time that Quick has used a woman photographer as a plot point. (See one of my faves, Second Sight (Arcane Society, #1), where Venetia uses plates to take her photographs and IIRC also hired hunky men to pose for her.) But it's obvious that she understands that world and getting a snapshot into the various aspects of her working life is a big selling point to this story. It also sets up the heroine for the next book, The Lady Has a Past (Burning Cove, #5), and I can't wait to see her find her HEA. ( )

So I read this last year, now I should double check all my 2021 reads and make sure I noted them all! Vivian Brazier is an art photographer and at night she snaps Crime Scenes to make some money to get her career up and running. When she notices similarities about some crime scene photos and how the victims are posed she puts herself in danger.
Nick Sundridge has problems dealing with his visions they're always showing him terrible things and he is finding it hard but he is able to help investigate and protect Vivian.
Of course a relationship builds and they help each other, it's a romantic thriller. While it was similar to others in this series I enjoyed the ride. ( )

Great next adventure in the Burning Cove series. I love the strong heroines and the glamorous setting. This time we get a fantastic photographer, a look into the art world, and a quirkily intuitive detective.

Advanced readers copy provided by Edelweiss. ( )

Vivian Brazier has left her San Francisco home after refusing to marry the man her family picked out for her and is trying to forge a career as an art photographer. To make ends meet, she photographs crime scenes for a newspaper. After taking a photo of the latest victim of the Dagger Killer, she notices that the crime scene looks staged like an art photo. Her lead helps the police locate the killer and places her right in the center of the killer's bullseye.

Nick Sundridge is a private investigator who uses his psychic power to help him solve crimes. Otherwise, that power is known as the family curse and makes him fear for his sanity. He is asked to protect Vivian when information is found that she will be the next victim of an assassin.

Nick and his dog Rex move in to protect Vivian. Shortly thereafter, Vivian's rental house and all her photographic equipment are destroyed when someone throws a fire bomb through the front window. She, Nick and Rex take refuge in a hotel in Burning Cove while Nick tries to flush out the assassin.

This story was filled with great period detail of California in the 1930s. It also had wonderful characters who were distinct and distinctive individuals. I liked the romance between Nick and Vivian since it was an unconventional as the characters themselves.

This is another great entry into the Burning Cove Paranormal thriller series. ( )