Rating: 
Summary: Not a hard-core romance, but a decent read
Review: Deadly Love introduces us to Brenda Joyce's crime-solving heroine, Francesca Cahill. Francesca does not begin the novel as a crime-solver but stumbles across it and becomes swept away in the mystery surrounding a boy's kidnapping.
However, that is only the cursory story. The novel truly revolves around Francesca's life (which takes place in 1902, a time period the author takes advantage of in creating this special heroine) and the lives of the people around her. Francesca is a truly wonderful heroine with a special mix of romanticism and realism to make her both likeable and human. If she snoops a bit too much, it can be accepted as a character flaw. The hero of the story, Rick Bragg, is much the same way - human and interesting. The two have a wonderful chemistry between them, at times innocent and at times electric.
A host of secondary characters help bring us into Francesca's world; although, they were to me too flawed too quickly. It's easier to like someone when we know there situation before learning their flaws, and I found myself struggling to like some key characters. Back story was slow coming (though I am sure this is to play out in later novels). Still, Francesca's family is close, and there is good sibling interaction.
Honestly, this book is worth a read. Francesca is a good, solid heroine who is fun to follow. I am interesting in seeing what becomes of Francesca and Rick in their later adventures. Hopefully one of the reasons the story was sometimes slow was simply character development that will pay off in the next few novels.
Rating: 
Summary: unappealing heroine makes for tough going
Review: After seeing reviews copmparing this to the likes of Anne Perry and Caleb Carr,I decided to give this a shot. How disappointing. I had trouble warming up to the heroine,Francesca. Ms.Joyce was trying to make Francesca into a enlightened young upper class woman of the turn of the last century-secretly attending college,befriending lower class people,ect. I think another reviewer hit upon the main problem with this story-it couldn't decicide if it was a mystery or a romance. Francesca was supposed to be a bright and articulate person,but when she meets the new police commissioner she becomes just another simpering ninny. I also found her interest in the abduction of the neighboring child to be more of voyuerism than that of true concern. Rick,the new police commissioner was correct in being annoyed with her interst in the case. A most disappointing book.
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable
Review: Although there is not a lot of groping in this book there is great chemistry and sexual tension between the two lead characters. I am extremely happy that I ignored the negative customer reviews linked to it and read this enjoyable book. While the mystery is not the best ever, the characters are interesting and the time period facinating. The fact that not all is explained in this first book just leaves me waiting for more!
Rating: 
Summary: Joyce brings depth in characterization and atmosphere
Review: As an ardent reformist in New York in 1902, Francesca Cahill refuses to be bound by conventions. She studies secretly in Barnard College to refrain from incurring the wrath of her mother and is socially active especially in the plans for the Police Department to eliminate rife corruption. By chance of fate, she now takes on the role of a female sleuth to investigate the disappearance of Jonny Burton, a child of her neighbour who was mysteriously abducted. A series of notes and clues are sent. She joins forces with the new police commissioner, Rick Bragg to solve the crime and discovers that things aren't always what they seem.... Francesca Cahill is also the protagonist of Brenda Joyce's Deadly series to dabble in historical romanctic suspense. Deadly Love as the maiden book proves refreshing in the period of 1900 and is atmospheric in the description of New York's socialite. The mystery kidnapping itself isn't much of an intricate plot but the stunning revelations explores human foibles and crimes of passion which is rare in today's romances. The suspense is fast-paced and the chemistry between Bragg and Francesca crackles. Joyce succeeds in bringing out the complexity of her sub-characters like Connie, her sister and Neil, her sister-in-law through engaging sub-plots. Though choppy at times and a rambling mystery yarn, Brenda Joyce is laudable for her humane portrayal of her characters and her penchance for historical details. It offers some high-voltage drama and grit at times and DEADLY LOVE is an auspicious start to her new series.
Rating:
Summary: Ambitious Project-- Victorian Mystery
Review: Brenda Joyce makes a bold choice with the story "Deadly Love". She sets it in 1902 among the New York elite. One young woman from a well-connected, prominent New York family, Francesca Cahill, doesn't want to be married off. She has secretly enrolled herself in Barnard College and works to reform the social ills of New York (somewhat reminiscent of Jude Devereux's Temptation). It makes for an interesting premise that doesn't work so well on paper. I didn't warm to Francesca Cahill-- she was forever crashing into the middle of tense scenes, bungling police operations (although she did ultimately help the investigation). That kind of headstrong naivete is not a pleasure to read, especially in a mystery. And, yes, I think that kind of characterization insults readers' intelligence. But, yes, Francesca might mature in the books to follow. I hope she does.
I also did not like how one woman, who was supposed to be sympathetic, had committed adultry with half the men in New York. Sometimes Brenda Joyce creates characters who are hard to like. Warning: This novel is not a romance, but was marketed as one to pick up Brenda Joyce's romance readership. There are hints of romantic feeling, but that's it. So, Five stars for the interesting setting.
Five stars for the historical detail.
Three stars for the characters.
Plot, eh, three stars. Recommended for a quick one-time, one-night read. For better romantic suspense try Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series, J.D. Robb's "in Death" series, and Dianne Day's "Fremont Jones" series. Anne Perry also sets her mysteries in the Victorian period in England.
Rating:
Summary: Ambitious Project-- Victorian Mystery
Review: Brenda Joyce makes a bold choice with the story "Deadly Love". She sets it in 1902 among the New York elite. One young woman from a well-connected, prominent New York family, Francesca Cahill, doesn't want to be married off. She has secretly enrolled herself in Barnard College and works to reform the social ills of New York (somewhat reminiscent of Jude Devereux's Temptation). It makes for an interesting premise that doesn't work so well on paper. I didn't warm to Francesca Cahill-- she was forever crashing into the middle of tense scenes, bungling police operations (although she did ultimately help the investigation). That kind of headstrong naivete is not a pleasure to read, especially in a mystery. And, yes, I think that kind of characterization insults readers' intelligence. But, yes, Francesca might mature in the books to follow. I hope she does.
I also did not like how one woman, who was supposed to be sympathetic, had committed adultry with half the men in New York. Sometimes Brenda Joyce creates characters who are hard to like. Warning: This novel is not a romance, but was marketed as one to pick up Brenda Joyce's romance readership. There are hints of romantic feeling, but that's it. So, Five stars for the interesting setting.
Five stars for the historical detail.
Three stars for the characters.
Plot, eh, three stars. Recommended for a quick one-time, one-night read. For better romantic suspense try Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series, J.D. Robb's "in Death" series, and Dianne Day's "Fremont Jones" series. Anne Perry also sets her mysteries in the Victorian period in England.
Rating:
Summary: The "Deadly" Series Books
Review: Brenda Joyce's "Deadly" series are wonderful. The stories are continuing from one book to the other. Thus far, I believe there have been three with a fouth due in May 2002. I love this series and love all the characters, especially Bragg and Francesca. Connie and Neil are great too and one wonders what will happen to Calder. Just keep reading.
Rating:
Summary: The "Deadly" Series Books
Review: Brenda Joyce's "Deadly" series are wonderful. The stories are continuing from one book to the other. Thus far, I believe there have been three with a fouth due in May 2002. I love this series and love all the characters, especially Bragg and Francesca. Connie and Neil are great too and one wonders what will happen to Calder. Just keep reading.
Rating:
Summary: Waiting for More
Review: Deadly Love is the first Brenda Joyce I've picked up, and I enjoyed it tremendously. Although the main character, Francesca, acts a bit ditsy at times, her behavior only added to the humor Ms. Joyce included throughout the book. The relationship between Fran and Rick has a lot of potential. I hope they make significant progress in the next volume of the series though -- I hate it when writers string us along for ever before allowing characters to move beyond flirtation (Of course Fran's mother Julia may have more to say about this than Ms. Joyce does!). The secondary characters will also be a force in upcoming volumes. Young Joel Kennedy adds a humorous note, and I'm anxious to learn more about future sister-in-law Sarah. I must say however, that I hope Ms. Joyce dosen't plan on portraying brother-in-law Neil as a sympathetic character. His behavior in this book was awful. In fact, I wanted him to be the bad guy this time around so we could be done with him! This feeling goes beyond a negative reaction to his infidelity -- his whole attitude is obnoxious. While some of the negative reviews seen here express valid concerns regarding genre and character shortcomings, when you consider that this is the first of what will hopefully be a long series of related novels, and that it needed to set the stage for future volumes, it is an outstanding read.
Rating: 
Summary: I'll pass, thank you
Review: Half way through this book, I asked myself, who cares? I simply lost interest in the story line. In fact the sister, brother and the fiance's story line seemed to be more interesting... I finished the book just to finish. A very disappointing read especially when I look forward to any Brenda Joyce novels.
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