keepingsecrets

Kings Crossing Publishing, 2003
Mystery
193 pages
www.nghosibooks.com/Inkwell/pennymain.htm

Rating: 1/2 out of 5

Girl, watch out!!!

There's a killer hunting the gay community in KEEPING SECRETS, the
first in the Gianna Maglione series from mystery writer Penny
Mickelbury.

But no worries, Gianna is on the case. A top-notch lieutenant in the
Hate Crimes Unit with the Washington, D. C. police department,
she's trying to find out who's been targeting prominent,
in-the-closet inhabitants of the nation's capital. Not only is it a
matter of who's been killed but how, as the victims are shot in the

gruesome fashion. It's racking Gianna's brain and what's worse is that could be only a matter of time
before she or someone she knows could be on the hit list.

On the other side of the case is Mimi Patterson, a black investigative reporter. Gianna won't let Mimi
get anywhere near the case, for fear that the journalist will turn the investigation into a media frenzy.
All Mimi wants is some answers, and with good sources on a high-profile case like this, she won't rest
until she gets discovers who's behind the crime. Even if it means dealing with hard-nosed Gianna.

At odds, the two women are just trying to do their jobs—and trying to fight their growing attraction
to one another. Their blossoming romance can't be good for the case. Especially when they know
that one false move could jeopardize any luck they have in trying to find the serial killer.

Mickelbury has created an excellent first novel in a series you will want to read more of. Keeping
Secrets kept me on the edge of my seat, and the romance between the two enhanced the story of
a cop and a reporter trying to do good. I must admit I had a clue about the killer half-way through, it
was still gripping to see how they would get the sick bastard. And I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes
work of the detectives, as well. I definitely plan to read more of the Gianna/Mimi mysteries.

Cause it also doesn't hurt that the women are hot, too.

Reviewed Aug-Sept 2006