Heart Of The Night

by Gayle Wilson

He was a man of mystery…Judge Thorne Barrington was a survivor…the only living victim of serial bomber Jack the Tripper. He'd even survived Jack's real curse-advance warning of bombings he could not prevent. But survival had its price. Once the darling of debutantes and the crowned prince of the society pages, Barrington had vanished from the public eye.Driven by a need she told herself was professional curiosity, Kate August delved into the mystery of Thorne Barrington. But for reasons more elusive-and far more personal-she followed him into the darkness, determined to find the heart of the mystery…and the man.

Genres: Romance, Harlequin, Category Romance

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 7, 1997

About the author

Gayle Wilson is a two-time RITA® Award winner, taking home the RITA® Award for Best Romantic Suspense Novel in 2000 and for Best Romantic Novella in 2004. In addition to twice winning the prestigious RITA® Award, Gayle’s books have garnered more than 50 other awards and nominations, including most recently the Daphne du Maurier Award for the Best Single Title Romantic Suspense of 2008, awarded to Victim, her latest novel from MIRA.

Gayle holds a master’s degree in secondary education, with additional certification in the education of the gifted. Although her specialty was teaching honors and gifted students, as a former high school history and English teacher, she taught everything from remedial reading to Shakespeare—and loved every minute she spent in the classroom.

Gayle was on the board of directors of Romance Writers of America for four years. In 2006 she served as the president of RWA, the largest genre-writers’ organization in the world.

Gayle has written 41 novels and four novellas for Harlequin Enterprises, including works for Harlequin Historicals, Harlequin Intrigue, Special Releases, HQN Books, MIRA, and Mills & Boon.

Reviews

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all the category romance lines, I think I like the Intrigue the best. I recognised Gayle Wilson's name from other Romantic Suspense books that I liked and was excited to get one of her earlier works to check out. It was a good book. It wasn't hard to figure out who the villain was but it was still a satisfying read.

Kate August is a reporter, investigating a serial bomber. Judge Thorne Barrington was a victim of the bomber but he survived. So Kate goes to his home and finds the gate unlocked and his dog tied up so she goes on in and finds an angry Thorne who calls the police on her. He realises later that she didn't break in and apologizes.

[Penny Griffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reads Quickly, but Doesn't Really Work on Any Level
26 September 1998 - Published on Amazon.com

Ummmmm...what was this book supposed to be again? As a mystery tale, it falls flat since there's really only one person who it could be and...surprise! That person did it. As a love story, it doesn't really work, since the protagonists only have a couple of encounters. Thorne is unable to leave his house and Kate is running all over the country. There really isn't enough interaction to see them falling in love, yet there they are in the end, apparently set to live happily ever after. Five run-ins and sex do not a happy ending make. And as a suspense novel, it doesn't really work, since there's not that much tension to push things along. Wilson's usual writing flair is present, giving the proceedings a slight boost. Too bad she didn't come up with a story worth bothering with.

[Rose Canteiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a nicely written thriller, the crime plot is intriguing, the supporting characters are captivating, but, the plot is very focused on the heroine (which saves the hero from danger), and they only meet superficially a few times, so the story's more investigation than romance. It's a fluent and interesting read, but it's not the best of Gayle Wilson.

3,5 stars.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good thriller. A mail bomber who is escalating his activities. Thorne lives in darkness due to a botched attempt at his life. The romance is very low key instead we are led through the book with a keen wish to get to the bottom of the mystery. Well written and plotted.

[Griffinyarn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 stars

I enjoyed reading this novel. Although I figured out who the villain was one-third of the way through, I still appreciated the way the author developed the plot.

The hero and heroine were both likeable characters with realistic flaws and the chemistry was nicely brought out through their interactions.

A good piece of escapist fiction.

[Saly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 3.5 stars