Last Breath

July 2, 2007
Devoted fans will be satisfied with the comfortably predictable final volume of Stewart's Last trilogy (after Last Look and Last Words), but others may find the formulaic plot a little hard to swallow. Attractive archeologist Daria McGowan has been retained by an eminent university to catalogue the findings of one of her ancestors, who was rumored to have discovered proof of a legendary lost civilization. Her initial survey reveals that some priceless items have disappeared, and she soon learns that their innocent purchasers have been ritually butchered. She calls on a past lover, hunky FBI agent Connor Shields, and as they hunt for the killer, sparks fly between them. There's little doubt that all will end happily, both for the Shields-McGowan relationship and for the university, making this a romantic thriller of more sweetness than substance.

July 9, 2007
Devoted fans will be satisfied with the comfortably predictable final volume of Stewart's Last trilogy (after Last Look and Last Words), but others may find the formulaic plot a little hard to swallow. Attractive archeologist Daria McGowan has been retained by an eminent university to catalogue the findings of one of her ancestors, who was rumored to have discovered proof of a legendary lost civilization. Her initial survey reveals that some priceless items have disappeared, and she soon learns that their innocent purchasers have been ritually butchered. She calls on a past lover, hunky FBI agent Connor Shields, and as they hunt for the killer, sparks fly between them. There's little doubt that all will end happily, both for the Shields-McGowan relationship and for the university, making this a romantic thriller of more sweetness than substance.

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2007
In this third in a series of mysteries with interconnected characters, archaeologist Daria McGowan travels to Howe University to create an exhibit containing artifacts from the ancient city of Shandihar, found and excavated by her great-grandfather in the early 1900s. While inventorying the boxes at the university, she discovers that some of the artifacts are missing from the storage room and contacts FBI agent Connor Shields. After locating the missing items via the Internet, the two try to visit the people who purchased them and find they have died in a gruesome manner, reminiscent of the way people were punished in Shandihar. Daria and Connor race to discover who originally stole the missing items and who is murdering and then reclaiming them. Are the descendants of the ancient protectors of Shandihar at work, or is it someone pretending the legend has come to life? Likable characters, details of archaeology, fast pacing, and Daria and Connors developing romantic relationship add to the story.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)