Not So Innocent (Sonnet Books) [Mass Market Paperback]

Inspector Mick Dunbar doesn't believe in visions, and he's convinced that Sophie is actually shielding a would-be murderer. Only when Sophie's life is in danger does Mick realize he has fallen in love with the beautiful courageous woman who can see into his very mind and heart--but will the knowledge come too late to save her?

Laura Lee Guhrke is known for her beautiful prose and lush historical romance novels. In Not So Innocent, Ms. Guhrke turns up the heat and creates two compelling characters that readers will cheer for until the very last page. This was one of the best books I've read this year. I didn't want it to end.

Gloria Winter---avid reader

Mick Dunbar is a high-ranking detective with Scotland Yards. He has just turned 36 and is sensitive about his age as his co-workers kid him constantly about it. He has a way with the women, of course, and has yet to meet his perfect woman but has every intention to marry her and have a family once he finds her. He is very handsome - few heroes are ever portrayed in any other manner - and is a straight talking man who knows how to speak truthfully - even if it is not what one wants to hear. However, his speech is always noteworthy and it is a treat when you read his lines. I guess he has that gift of saying a lot with few words therefore; you listen well to what he says.

Sophie Haversham has a gift of foresight that she would prefer to not possess. She first meets Mick at Scotland Yard where she has gone to report a death she has foreseen in a dream. She is very shocked to see that very man in her dreams - the one that is intended to die - as she stares at Mick. Mick believes she is some sort of crazy woman and dismisses her. Later that night when he is shot at, in precisely the location Sophie had told him he would be shot, he believes that she may not be crazy. Instead, he presumes that she is either the would-be murderer or closely connected to him. He begins to methodically interrogate her and ruthlessly opens every aspect of her life in order to find the identity of one who means to see him dead.

Sophie lives with her aunt in a rather run down home in Mayfair. Her aunt had begun renting rooms for income some years previously and Sophie assists her in these duties. Sophie lives a rather reclusive life because of her strange gift. Once someone gets to know Sophie, they realize she can, at times, read their thoughts. Since there is hardly a person who wants this invasion of their thoughts, her acquaintances are few and her former fiancé had left her at the altar for the same reason. Now she is accepting life as a spinster at the age of 24. She believes that no man will ever want to marry her since she has this threatening, invasive gift.

Mick begins to invade Sophie's life forcing him into every aspect of her life - even to the point of taking a room at the aunt's boarding house where Sophie lives as well. However, for the most part, his intentions are those of a detective. Yes, he seems somewhat attracted to her but will not conduct a relationship with a suspect. At the same time, Sophie is very wary of Mick. She has a few family skeletons that she doesn't want uncovered and if Mick looks too closely, he will discover those secrets. And sure enough - he does.

The author allows us to observe the leads in page after page of quality time spent together as Sophie and Mick become further acquainted. It is not a relationship that develops quickly. Although attracted to one another and at times, giving into those feelings, neither believes that their relationship will lead to anything more serious. Sophie eventually realizes she has become extremely vulnerable where Mick is concerned. She understands the extreme inevitable hurt she has exposed herself to and attempts to put Mick out of her life. We really empathize with Sophie but don't really consider Mick too much of a brute. After all, he has told her he is not a marrying man and has attempted to keep her at arm's length. The sensual scenes come late in the book and rate about a 3.50 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines).

Guhrke is so successful at blending just the right amount of mystery with romance and secondary characters that this is a very well rounded story. The murder mystery is not boring and Sophie's aunt is very enjoyable while her mother and sister are especially annoying.

I look forward to reading the few other books Guhrke has written. Although I relished this book, I don't know if this will go on the keeper shelf. I have been in a real reading slump lately and although Not So Innocent really pulled me out of it, I could not rate it five stars. Relatively speaking, the books on my keeper shelf are stronger than this book. However, it was immensely satisfying to climb out of that slump by reading Not So Innocent.

Sophie and Mick are social opposites. Mick is a London Inspector Detective with Scotland Yard. He is a man that has just celebrated his thirty six birthday does not have a family and has watched his best friends marry, have kids and live the life that he wants to have.

Sophie is genteel poor, has a witch of an older sister, and a harridan for a mother, and lives with her aunt who thinks that she is the reincarnated Cleopatra. She also has the gift of second sight and she feels that no man is ever going to want to marry her because as her sister has told her repeatedly she is a freak. Sophie would have just gone about her business but she could not live with herself if she did not go to Scotland Yard and report the murder that she has `dreamt' about. When she is in the process of reporting the crime she looks up and sees the object of the murder only he is alive and well and he is Mick. Mick of course does not believe anything that he can not see and thinks that Sophie's act is a birthday prank and goes about his business but on the way home someone tries to kill him but instead of believing Sophie's gift he thinks that Sophie is involved the attempt to kill him This belief leads him to moving into Sophie's aunts boarding house, and into a working relationship between Mick and his unlikely witness Sophie to find a killer that calls himself Heart Eater.

This was a fast read with plenty of suspense as to who is killing London Policemen and lets not forget the romance between Sophie and Mick. Their romance is sweet, tender, and sensual and wonderful to read. I especially liked the dancing scene between Mick and Sophie at the ball. It was probably the most tender moment of the book and I must admit to falling a little bit in love with Mick myself at this point. Add this story to your must read list you won't be disappointed!