When a gold katana worth $800K is stolen and used to kill its wealthy, philanthropic owner, Diana Collins is on the case. Charged with recovering the missing sword, the recently promoted senior insurance fraud investigator finds herself delving into the dark underbelly of a world she moves through with ballsy confidence. The search for the missing blade leads Collins to a series of similar murders and the battered and sexually abused women these dead men left behind. Is this a case of victimized women wreaking bloody vengeance against their abusers? Or is there a serial killer on the loose?

Seeking answers to these questions, Diana meets Mona, the fragile, haunted stepdaughter of the sword’s late owner, and Ali Sandoval, the steadfastly protective proprietress of a shelter for battered women. Collins is an engaging heroine from the start: intelligent, assertive and possessing a keen eye for the ridiculous. Still smarting from the painful aftermath of her last serious relationship, she spends her days flirting with her Southern-drawling, cougar mentor at work and her nights at the local dyke bar, drinking away her sorrows and looking to get laid. After a torrid, if hazy one-night stand with lovely kindergarten teacher Cami Michaelson, Collins finds herself wanting to give up her wanton, bar girl ways. Watching her lose her considerable cool as she stammers and blushes over Cami like a teenager in love is endearing. And her moral outrage and compassion for the shattered women with whom she comes into contact lends an already likeable character vulnerability and depth.

While this story wins points for its well-rounded and developed main character and its breezy, light writing style, making it a fun read, it is not without its faults. The plotline has its share of twists, turns and revelations, but these can often be seen coming. First time author Jove Belle manages to keep up the dramatic tension well enough despite this, but there are missed opportunities here for surprises and red herrings which would have heightened the suspense of the story. Still, for a first effort, it’s a promising start. As her craft matures, I look forward to reading more from Jove Belle.


Edge of Darkness, by Jove Belle
Bold Strokes Books, 2008
ISBN: 9781602820155
241 Pages, Paperback
GENRE(S): Lesbian Romance, Mystery/Intrigue