Rita Herron's DON'T SAY A WORD is a thrilling read that combines both elements of the genre of Romantic Suspense and adds a touch of the supernatural. The suspense twists and turns and keeps the reader guessing so that even the epilogue presents new surprising details. The hero and heroine struggle against darkness and demons, internal and external, and yet the chemistry between the two is so powerful that their struggle manifests the redemptive power of love.

Antwaun Dubois, the black sheep of his family, has been arrested for the murder of Kendra Yates. His brother Damon, an FBI agent and former member of the E-Team, a trained covert group of elite assassins, investigates the gruesome murder hoping to discover the serial killer and free his brother. His trail leads to a mysterious Jane Doe in a hospital. Her eerie resemblance to the victim and cutting edge medical technology complicate the case. Crystal, as she has been named, has amnesia and terrible injuries caused from a horrific fire and yet she might hold the secret to the case, a case that threatens to reveal the deadly dark secrets that Damon has held at bay since he left the E-team. As her memories emerge, can Crystal put together the pieces quickly enough to save herself from the madman? Whom can she trust when all those around her seem to want something from her? Is the passionate chemistry between her and Damon enough to survive both their inner secrets and the killer as he stalks new victims or will their love only put them at greater risk?

Rita Herron magnifies the level of romance and suspense in DON'T SAY A WORD through the hero's fight against some deep inner demons as he feels drawn to this woman --- so much that the desire to protect her encourages him to face those demons which he has tried very hard to repress previously. In addition, Crystal feels an inexplicable growing trust for Damon despite her amnesia and the forces putting her very life at risk. The suspense and the plot intricacies that emerge through the investigation, twisting and turning so that the suspense itself is a finely constructed, multi-leveled creation. Although fast-paced, DON'T SAY A WORD is not a simplistic easy-to-figure-out thriller but rather a carefully layered mystery whose details and interconnections only unfold as the last page is read. For suspense lovers, the surprises are thrilling!

In addition, Rita Herron develops important themes for our times that make this book expand beyond just a fun thrilling read. The chemistry and developing love between the hero and heroine is so strong, despite the darkness that threatens to engulf them, that the reader captures a glimpse of the redemptive power of love. This theme of love and redemption expands in ripples outward to other characters, not only in the Dubois family, but beyond. As several characters wrestle with their past secrets, Herron creates an idea of heroism includes an individual hero's possible shortcomings and experience. Even the minor characters of Lex and Esmerelda make this story unforgettable. Although labeled as heroes by the community of New Orleans, the Dubois men know that the label of hero too easily turns to condemnation when the public discovers the truth of the real men behind the label. In wrestling with the issues of heroism, Rita Herron has created a tribute to all the true heroes, the soldiers and emergency personnel, that encompasses not only the moments of triumph but the darkness and difficulty of their work. Although DON'T SAY A WORD has a darker element than some of her shorter works of romantic suspense, this novel heightens the dimension of redemption, romance and courage beyond that of her earlier works. As always, Rita Herron is a master at creating a landscape that becomes a character itself in the book. The scene and date of some of the last scenes of this book are no accident. Beautiful!

Rita Herron's DON'T SAY A WORD is the sequel to Say You Love Me, but is an excellent stand-alone story.

Britta Berger, columnist for New Orleans' popular erotic magazine hears the secrets and fantasies of the city's populace. Beneath her public mask, Britta has dark secrets of her own, especially of one past terrifying night. Britta receives an anonymous note, "I know your secrets. And you know mine..." with details from a possible murder included, she contacts Detective Jean-Paul Dubois. As the details of ritualistic murders unfold, Jean-Paul realizes that Britta might be the key to solving the string of serial killings that begin just as Mardi Gras approaches. Can Britta and Jean-Paul overcome the dark secrets of their past in this race against time? Most importantly, can they trust one another enough to reveal those secrets before it is too late?

Rita Herron writes the landscape of her novels brilliantly. New Orleans and the Black Bayou are dark, breathing entities that infuse the novel and the characters. The landscape itself is a character. Herron captures the dark underside of the South that hides and lurks in the landscape and in the soul. Rita Herron has a style and a way of writing suspense that keeps the clues and possibilities open. Even if the reader knows the villain --- we hear his voice --- which one of these twisted characters has gone way over the edge? It could be any of them. The suspense encourages a fast-paced excited read while the landscape and the romance encourages the reader to savor every word. The romance of the novel builds as the hero and heroine fight their own personal demons in the hunt. The reader feels the heroine's struggle with the perfect amount of psychological realism poetically portrayed to feel her depth. Together with the hero, can two wounded souls heal the darkness that emerges from the interior and physical landscapes that surround them?

Rita Herron is one of my favorite authors. She writes about dark, twisted people and their secrets. On the flipside, she writes about the subtle light, the emerging courage of her heroines, and the unexpected but perfect heroes she gives them. I particularly enjoy novels that expose fanaticism, extremism and what is over the edge. I love reading about the dark side of religion and politics and family and just about all the things that build a civilized society. While I value all those, I also like stories about how values are corrupted.

Buy a copy of this book for yourself and a friend. Once I finished this book, I was just dying to find other readers and ask them what they thought of this or that and point out all the places I felt this romantic suspense was unique and just downright awesome.

Erotic and violence level: scorching fantasies, sex, and violence, some definitely over the edge (of course, this is suspense with villains).

Other Rita Herron books
After reading this one, you might find yourself wanting to read her next and also her past releases.
Don't Say a Word (September 2007) (A sequel to Say You Love Me)
Last Kiss Goodbye (August 2006)  (An EXCELLENT read!)
In A Heartbeat (March 2006)
A Breath Away (May 2005)