Up Close and Personal

By Carla Cassidy

Book Overview

Detective Jordan Sampson is struggling to maintain a relationship with her young daughter while enjoying a new romance with an old flame. But Jordan's personal life takes a dangerous turn when her old friends from school are killed off one by one.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451228278
• ISBN13: 9780451228277
• Release Date: October 2009
• Publisher: Signet Book
• Length: 323 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.1" x 6.6"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

5 Hearts from TRS!

"I absolutely loved Up Close and Personal. When Jordan was summing up all the information in her mind about the potential suspects, it was thoroughly mind-blowing lifelike. Carla Cassidy positively sculptures a story that is purely irresistible to this reader. The way she incorporates the habitual signs of a serial killer, allowed me visualize what was conspiring. This story targets the reader like a magnet. I could feel all the excitement and thrills that come together making it an exceptional read. Clint is likeable, as well as understanding and compassionate. Every time I eat egg drop soup or crab rangoons, I will remember this book. The fast-paced action, and nail-biting thrills, is definitely a plus. There were some calming moments with Mandy , Jordan and Dane that made this an even more splendid read, that I highly recommend." - Linda L.

Great rom/suspense mix!

[Review book provided by publisher] Carla Cassidy achieves an enviable balance and blend of suspense and romance, neither one pushing the other to the side. In particular I love her depiction of family relationships. Jordan doesn't have some sort of idealized friendship with her ex-husband--there are hurt feelings and plenty of annoyances there--but neither do they have the stereotypical stormy relationship. I also love Jordan's relationship with her daughter. She's trying to balance a desire to be both mother and friend to Mandy, and she's worrying over Mandy's moods. Her daughter seems to not want to be with her, and while Jordan desperately wants to know why that is, she's also afraid to push her on the matter. The relationship and Jordan's confusion over it felt very real and engaging. The best-friend-drama-queen is a nice touch as well; usually the best friend in a romance novel has certain set roles to play, and this time things played out quite differently. The romance is sweet. It isn't overly easy for Clint and Jordan to get past their high school problems, but I'm also happy to note that Carla doesn't artificially try to string things out with too many misunderstandings or exaggerated hurt feelings. Clint and Jordan make a wonderful couple, with enjoyable chemistry. There's plenty of tension, the investigation and the people working on it are interesting and engaging, and the mystery is a good one. As usual, of course, it's hard to say too much about the mystery plot for fear of giving something away. I really enjoyed the dynamics of the detectives assigned to the case--there, too, you'll find some great personalities and relationships that impact the hunt for the killer in unusual ways. If you enjoy romance/suspense crossovers, give one of Carla Cassidy's books a try! I don't think you'll be disappointed, particularly if you appreciate good character writing.

Carla is the best

I have decided that Ms. Cassidy cannot write a bad book. UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL is a great example. When I read the back cover I thought the storyline was going to be rather "juvenile"..boy was I wrong..I have to remember this is Carla Cassidy. She pulled it off beautifully. As always, she kept me guessing until the end. There were some twists and turns I didn't see coming. I would recommend anything, I mean ANYTHING, this lady writes. Keep up the good work Carla.

exciting romantic suspense

Kansas City homicide detective Jordan Sampson is a single mom struggling with a rebellious twelve year old daughter Mandy, who does not want to live with her even for weekends; preferring to stay with her dad Dane who has custody. The former head cheerleader accompanies her "blackmailing" best friend Della Broadbent to their fifteenth anniversary Oak Ridge High School reunion. The highlight of the gala that she did not want to attend is seeing her former boyfriend, divorced coach Clint Cooper. However, the worst that happens is someone begins killing her classmates. Jordan investigates wondering if one of her schoolmates has turned into a serial killer. This is an exciting romantic suspense thriller that feels in some ways like a teen slasher movie. The ending is abrupt and the motive for the killings over the top of the Liberty Memorial. Still fans will appreciate the lead cop as she struggles with her relationship with her tweener daughter, a case that should have been a sure shot conviction that went sour, a renewed relationship with Clint, and a serial killer. This is all in a day (or three) work for a homicide cop. Harriet Klausner