Present Day Chicago, Illinois

We don't know much about him at first, but we know something has ignited his rage, something that reminded him that those who should have protected him and his younger brother didn't...and Shane died. Those who failed them must pay. He begins his revenge in Indiana by setting a fire that burns his victims alive...and thoroughly enjoys imagining their agony. The Chicago fire and police departments don't yet know that a serial arsonist/murderer is on his way to their town.

Lieutenant Reed Solliday became a fire marshal when he quit fighting fires at the behest of his late beloved wife, Christine. He's raising their fourteen-year-old daughter, Beth, with the help of his sister Lauren. Reed first becomes aware of the arsonist when he's called to investigate an explosive fire in a residence that left a young woman dead. The fact that the college coed was not the arsonist's target did not stop him from raping her and letting her burn, but he did put a bullet in her head before leaving. Because of Caitlin's death, the arson is also murder, and Reed is assigned a partner from Chicago PD.

Homicide Detective Mia Mitchell returns from convalescent leave feeling guilty after being wounded in a shootout that nearly took her partner's life. She's assigned to work with Reed on the arson case and makes an unfortunate first impression on him, but after a rocky start, the two seemingly mismatched individuals come to respect each other. Both Reed and Mia have emotional baggage, though from different experiences.

COUNT TO TEN is a chilling and nail-bitingly suspenseful thriller with a truly mad but intelligent villain. His character, as well as Reed's and Mia's, is thoroughly plumbed and exposed. But there is more to COUNT TO TEN than a romance and a mystery. Ms. Rose presents both sides of the nature vs. nurture controversy over causes of behavior. She also shows the good and the bad in the child welfare/foster home system. There are side plots on several levels and well-developed minor characters that add richness to the whole. Some of the cast members have appeared in other of Ms. Rose's novels, but COUNT TO TEN is complete in itself.

For a novel with a meaty plot, a tough on the outside, marshmallow on the inside heroine, and a hero who knows how to love, I highly recommend COUNT TO TEN.

Jane Bowers