Today I have a review of Tightrope by Amanda Quick! Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the invitation to read this book!
About the Book:
An unconventional woman and a man shrouded in mystery walk a tightrope of desire as they race against a killer to find a machine that could change the world.
Former trapeze artist Amalie Vaughn moved to Burning Cove to reinvent herself, but things are not going well. After spending her entire inheritance on a mansion with the intention of turning it into a bed-and-breakfast, she learns too late that the villa is said to be cursed. When the first guest, Dr. Norman Pickwell, is murdered by his robot invention during a sold-out demonstration, rumors circulate that the curse is real.
In the chaotic aftermath of the spectacle, Amalie watches as a stranger from the audience disappears behind the curtain. When Matthias Jones reappears, he is slipping a gun into a concealed holster. It looks like the gossip that is swirling around him is true—Matthias evidently does have connections to the criminal underworld.
Matthias is on the trail of a groundbreaking prototype cipher machine. He suspects that Pickwell stole the device and planned to sell it. But now Pickwell is dead and the machine has vanished. When Matthias’s investigation leads him to Amalie’s front door, the attraction between them is intense, but she knows it is also dangerous. Amalie and Matthias must decide if they can trust each other and the passion that binds them, because time is running out.
My Thoughts:
Tightrope is the third book in the Burning Cove series. While I’ve read the first book, The Girl Who Knew Too Much, also, I think Tightrope can be read as a standalone.
Amalie Vaughn is a former trapeze artist. Her move to Burning Cove is for a fresh start. She spends her inheritance on a mansion with the plan to turn it into a bed-and-breakfast; however, she finds out the mansion is cursed.
In fact, her very first guest, Dr. Norman Pickwell, is murdered by his robot invention while onlookers are watching, which further makes the the curse seem real.
Amalie then sees a stranger from the audience slip behind the curtain, and then reappear, placing a gun into a holster on himself. The man’s name is Matthias.
Matthias is investigating Pickwell, believing he stole a cipher machine, which has now vanished. Matthias ends up at Amalie’s front door, and the two are instantly attracted to each other. They have to decide if they can trust each other enough to work together.
Overall, this was a quick, immersive read. The setting was just plain fun and picturesque in a coastal California town in the 1930s. I felt the tension as the suspense built, and I had to keep reading until the clever resolution. Amalie was a phenomenal main character, and I loved her story!
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions my own.
Wonderful review and love the picture with the sweet kitty, Jennifer! I cannot wait to read this historical mystery and added it to my tbr list. Happy Thursday! 🌸🌼♥️📚🌺🌹😊😘
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Thanks, Virginia! This one was so much fun! I hope you enjoy it too! I also hope you had a lovely Thursday! ♥️
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I think I’ve read many of Jayne Ann Krentz books but none when she writes as Amanda Quick! How weird is that? Wonderful review Jen! Love your photo too! Have an awesome Thursday my friend! 🌻💖🌻
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Thanks, Sus! That is interesting! I read a JAK book earlier this year and really enjoyed it. She’s a prolific writer, isn’t she?! I hope your Thursday was wonderful! ♥️
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This sounds so unique, I love the quirky combo of trapeze artist and robot?!! Thanks for sharing, Jennifer😁
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Thanks, Tammy! It was a bit quirky and zany at times, too!
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Like Susan, I’ve read Jayne Ann Krentz, but none under her pen names. I think she has another one, too, doesn’t she?
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I think she does, too, Jacquie! She’s such a busy author! And so much fun to read!
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This is the problem with robots – they’re fine when they’re working, but you never know when they’ll malfunction! A bit like my laptop! 😉 Sounds like a fun read…
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😂 I love it, FF! So true! Yes! It was definitely a fun read.
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My sisters-in-law love this author and I really enjoyed the one book I read. This one sounds really good, too. Wonderful review, Jennifer, and it doesn’t sound like you missed anything by skipping the second book💜
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Thanks so much, Jonetta! It was a great read. I do want to read that second book though!
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Ok, so this was eye candy first… but the story sounds pretty good too 🙂
Great review 🙂
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That cover really is gorgeous, Norrie! Thanks so much!
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Sounds like the setting of this book really made the reading experience better for you! 🙂 Wonderful review.
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Thanks so much, Chrissi! It was a fun setting for sure!
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Fantastic review Jenni, this sounds very interesting!! 🤔
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Thanks so much, Beth! It was a fun read!
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You read so many books, Jennifer! You amaze me!
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Thanks so much, Janet! ♥️
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Wow this sounds like quite an intriguing read – a trapeze artist, new technology, and connections to the criminal underground! Even though this could be a standalone read, I still think I wold want to read the series in order .. so I’ll have to look into this!
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Yeah, I think it’s probably best to get try out the full series, LP! Then you know you aren’t missing something! ♥️
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Another dangerous foray into your site Jennifer. I saw historical fiction and tried to resist the urge to read your review. LOL. Now I’m off to amazon to check this book out… and it’s a series too! Oy!
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Thanks, Nina! This series is quite different/quirky and fun!
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Seems so. They’re so pricey on Amazon. Sigh. Book budget. Lol.
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Trapeze artist? Robot inventions? Cipher machine?! This sounds sooo eclectic and fun! I haven’t heard of the series before–thank you for bringing it to my attention! ❤
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It’s so quirky, Kathy! And a bunch of fun! ♥️
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