Kensington (Hardcover), ISBN 1575665867
Although the back cover blurbs praise it to the skies, my original impression of this book was one of disbelief. An improbable tale of intrigue starring a mousy (but beautiful under the ugly clothes) British girl and a world-weary New York police detective, Glass Houses disappointed me at every turn. 

Aiden Flynn, the detective, intercepts fellow detective Ryan Hill's emails when he borrows the absent officer's home computer. (Flynn agreed to take care of the man's prized orchids.) Ashamed at his peeping, but increasingly intrigued, Flynn reads mail from Olivia FitzDurham, a timid young lady from England who keeps sending Hill messages addressed to "Sam."  

Figuring that "Sam," a.k.a. Hill might have some sort of ulterior motive, Aiden Flynn reads on. The discovery that someone threatened Olivia and offered to pay an astronomical sum of money for some apparently innocent decorating photos further hooks Flynn. Hill, it seems, may be a crooked detective with shady dealings.  

Convincing Olivia to leave England, Aiden hopes to help the girl and keep her safe from harm. And the chase begins. From London to New York to all over the U.S., Aiden, Olivia and Aiden's partner become involved in a twisted, violent tale involving the photos, false accusations and graphic sex. 

Although I enjoy romantic suspense novels, Glass Houses managed to annoy me in nearly every chapter. An author may ask a reader to suspend disbelief, but should a writer ask a reader to believe that a petite young lady, often afraid of her own shadow, can subdue a violent and evil opponent, not once, but three different times? The plot device seems rather thin. Why would Aiden Flynn agree to water flowers for a man he detests…and why would he read the man's email? As a matter of fact, why would Ryan Hill give Flynn a key to his house in the first place? I found the requisite bumbling thieves and evil "other woman" distinctly cliché and the denouement predictable. 

Reader beware -- Glass Houses may not be your favorite summer reading material. 

Maria Y. Lima

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