CindyS guest review of Ice Storm by Anne Stuart
Romantic suspense published 1 Nov 07 by MIRA

I love Anne Stuart and this book is very close to the top of her game in ‘General Fiction.’  Not so sure other readers will find this story all that romantic even though I loved it to pieces.

Behind her mask is a deadly secret . . .

The powerful head of the covert mercenary organization The Committee, Isobel Lambert is a sleek, sophisticated professional who comes into contact with some of the most dangerous people in the world. But beneath Isobel’s cool exterior a ghost exists, haunting her with memories of another life . . . a life that ended long ago.

But Isobel’s past and present are about to collide when Serafin, mercenary, assassin and the most dangerous man in the world, makes a deal with The Committee. Seventeen years ago Isobel shot him and left him for dead. Now it looks as if he’s tracked her down for revenge. But Isobel knows all too well that looks can be deceiving . . . and that’s what she’s counting on to keep her cover in this international masquerade of murder.

Read an excerpt. 

Isobel Lambert is a woman indistinguishable in age (38 if you do the math that slips out in the story). She is the consummate professional currently at the head of a dangerous organization that takes care of the badguys in a way that has nothing to do with the court system.  She is known as the Ice Queen or Iron Lady. What she hides from all those around her is how much the innocent casualties hurt. She is also on the edge of burnout after 18 years of service.

Isobel’s organization is called upon to bring in Josef Seraphin, a monster involved in ethnic cleansing.  Seraphin offers the Committee intel for a safe and comfy retirement. The plan sickens Isobel but she will do her job. Thus the fun begins.

I recognized Stuart’s anti-hero, Killian, for what he was but I wonder what someone new to Stuart will think of him. I’m pretty sure they’ll think he’s a sadistic bastard who enjoys mind games.  In fact, he is such a good liar that there are things he says that I am still wondering about.  In my own mind I know he loves Isobel but that’s because I have read Stuart before and expect it to be true.

Isobel is a completely different heroine than Stuart normally writes.  Interestingly enough, Stuart pairs a woman who doesn’t hide from herself with a man who can’t stop lying. In an Anne Stuart world, there is no fairy tale-like HEA, but there is a HEA in that the reader knows these two people are in love and will weather the rest of their lives together. The book’s tone reminds me very much of an earlier work by Stuart called Nightfall – one of her darkest books. I can honestly say that Killian isn’t quite as cruel, although he dances the line.

I think readers of this series will be very pleased by this installment.  For newbies, I suggest you do not start with this book.  All that said, I loved this story and felt it was the best of the series so far. The hero/heroines of the previous books showed up in very realistic ways (except Taka) and more was learned about Reno, a hero unlike any I remember Stuart creating. It’ll be interesting to see what she does with this man although I’m pretty sure we’ve already met his heroine.

I will do this review with two grades. Why? Because those who know me know this book is a:  KEEPER, KEEPER, KEEPER, KEEPER, KEEPER!!!!

Grade: A-

Join CindyS on her blog, Nocturnal Wonderings.