Conspiracy
Front-page violence and the comforting bromides of a caring ghost mingle in Cresswell's latest romantic suspense (after The Refuge). Since the death of her husband Sam, Verity Marlowe has been soaking in self-pity and vodka, but she's yanked out of it by his ghost (a sweet spirit who calls her "sugar babe") and his friend, Michael Strait, a spy for a counterterrorist unit. In the midst of Verity's leave of absence, her boss at the State Department calls her in to meet with Khalid Muhammad, her old Kashmiri friend. Kashmiri terrorists have sent Khalid to D.C. to deliver a threat, but he refuses to give U.S. officials any more information until he speaks with Verity, who was born and raised in Kashmir. Before he is gunned down, he passes her a key to a safe-deposit box containing software to launch nuclear missiles and informs her that an American official is trading arms with Saddam Hussein. While Verity and Michael try to root out the traitor, they pursue the passion they were too honorable to explore when Sam was alive. Unfortunately, Cresswell provides her readers with only two possible villains, one of whom is obviously a red herring, so the traitor is never a surprise. Despite this lack of suspense, Creswell skillfully dramatizes the trouble in Kashmir and portrays characters who will interest and involve the reader. (Sept.)Forecast: A stark, shadowy cover won't boost sales any, but Cresswell's readers are a devoted lot. Her latest will appeal to fans of Helen R. Meyers and Lynn Erickson as well, and booksellers may see improved crossover sales if they feature the three authors together.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.