Title: Unseen
Author: Nancy Bush
Published in April 2009 by Zebra Romantic Suspense Imprint
Genre: Mystery/Romance
ISBN: 978-1-4201-0340-3
Other Books by Nancy: Wicked Game
What do you do when you can't remember much of anything but your name, AND you are suspected of murder? For Gemma LaPorte, waking up in the hospital, battered, bruised, without her memory, and under such a suspicion was truly a shock. Even more came when she met the hard-eyed detective assigned to find out what she knew. Even the facts she gleaned from the nursing staff were few, almost as if she suddenly appeared from the ether. Questions of her own hammered at her mind, and as she fought to recover, she was certain she had not done what they said; she had not committed murder. Besides, her so-called "victim" was still alive, and that had to count for something, didn't it? Everything was just so confusing, so out of reach to her wounded mind. She drew a blank beyond her name, and for the most part, she was grateful. If she really did something terrible, she was not certain she wanted to remember, and that made it all worse. Gemma just didn't understand what happened or how she ended up in a hospital bed. Getting out was another issue, but once back on her feet, and with the bruises showing for her trouble, she was faced with annoying doubts about herself, and about her sanity.
Getting back to work was an option, and her memory played hide and seek, giving her hints at what was, and mixing in what is. Confusion resulted, and Gemma started thinking maybe she did try to murder that man, but she had no idea of why, or how she did it. None of what she learned meshed with what she thought she knew, and only the steady but wary presence of Detective Tanninger seems to anchor her. On she is not fooled by his concern. It may be honest, but she knows she is his chief suspect, but is almost siure she didn't run the man down. True, her mother's old beater is no where in sight, she has not a clue as to where it is, but according to Will, the car that dropped her off at the hospital was silver, her mother's care is silver, and the car that ran down the suspected pedophile was silver. Was that coincidence or did she really run down a man in the middle of a parking lot? There was one thing she couldn't escape. Her mother's car was missing, she had no idea where it was, and until it was found, and it was proved one way or another, she was guilty in the eyes of almost everyone...
Ah, of all the stupid things to happen, this was one of the worst. It was bad enough he was forced into an awkward situation, but for Detective Will Tanninger, finding himself attracted on a very basic level to the young woman in the hospital bed was not an auspicious sign. He tried to remember it was very likely she was a killer, that she was the one who ran down a man in a public park. She didn't look like she could, but Will had seen a lot in his career, and many times guilt had many faces. The claim of amnesia didn't sit well with him, but the doctors couldn't rule it out. She suffered a pretty good head trauma, had been unconscious for the better part of three days which, according to the doctors, was about as good an indication as one could get when it came to the diagnosis of amnesia. It did not make his job any easier, nor more enjoyable, and if she was innocent, one who attempted murder was getting away, farther and farther away from the justice she deserved. He also had to contend with Barb Gillette, his partner, who at times was all too willing to listen to Burl Jernstadt and his diatribes, preconceived notions, and prejudices especially ones concerning Gemma LaPorte. There was, however, something more. Something haunting and haunted about the young woman who only seemed to know her name at this point.
Will Tanninger was a hardened detective, one who brooked no nonsense from those around him. The inner-office politics eluded him, but he didn't mind. He did mind when big-mouthed ex-cops tried to horn in on his case, tried to act like they spoke for the department, and cast doubt and aspersions that could not be proven. Thus he was at the top of Burl Jernstadt's list of "the most likely to be hated people." Will just didn't care. The man was a menace, and had no idea of what it meant to be a competent law enforcement officer. That was the reason Burl was so antagonistic, so mean, and trying so hard to get back in the good graces of Chief Nunce. He'd been drummed of the Winslow County Police force for breaches in protocol among other things. It would not do to allow Burl access to the files or to information as he hadn't any concept of evidencial integrity. He could blow the case by opeing his big mouth, and there was not a thing Will could do about it. Not even Will's partner could stand Burl, and Barb, in spite of her anger and jealousy, was having a hard time putting up with his gripes, leaks, and false statements to the press. Will had his hands full, and no time to get a handle on everything else, and definitely not on the dawning feelings rising around Gemma. Oh Yeah, he was in BIG trouble here, but that itching under his skin told him that Gemma LaPorte was the target of an unseen evil...
Unseen by Nancy Bush is a book you can't pass by. There are ssecrets, hidden memories which if remembered, can change all. They are hiding in the Back of Gemma's mind, and yet there is no way for her to access them. There is no one to ask either because both her parents are dead. Feeling as though she is coming apart, she tries to get help form the psychiatrist to whom she was sent as a child. Unfortunately, he is retired, and sends her on to his son. It is a blank wall there because Gemma realizes he only wants her because it couold help him make a name for himself. Gemma doesn't need this, and decides her fate is better off in her own hands, and maybe, with the help of the detective, she can make it through this trial by fire. Will is only too happy to stay as close to Gemma as he can get, because the body count is rising, not only in accident victims, but now in murders. Bodies of young women, horribly mutilated, killed, then burned beyond recognition. It has all the earmarks of a serial killer, and it sets him to wondering if Gemma is in his sights.
Starting out slow, Unseen is just like an airplane taxiing out to the runway. But don't let it fool you. Nancy has it taking off, and as the tension climbs, and neither Gemma nor Will know where they stand, some unexpectd players light up the arena of play. Time is not on Gemma's side, and where Will's partner is ready and willilng to jump the gun, Will's actions might be the better course of action. Even though the attraction is there, and even as Gemma is falling in love with the handsome Detective, both know it will shatter their budding relationship if Gemma is truly guilty. Only at the last, when the lad body falls, and when the last fire is put out, will Will and Gemma find out the whole truth. Unseen By Nancy Bush is just one of those "I couldn't put it down" books, and you will find it soon at your favourite local bookstore, as well as your favourite online ones. Unseen is a nail-bitin'-hold-you-to-your-seat's-edge kinda book, and I highly recommend it. If you love a good romantic suspense, you can't afford to niss Nancy Bush's Unseen.
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
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