Mr Perfect by Linda Howard

What would make the perfect man?

That's the delicious topic heating up the proceedings at a certain table of professional women at their favorite restaurant, Ernie's, tonight: Mr. Perfect. What qualities would he have? Would he be tall, dark, and handsome? Caring and warmhearted -- or will just muscular do? Jaine Bright and her three girlfriends start off with the basics -- he'd be faithful and reliable, the responsible type, with a great sense of humor.

But as the conversation picks up momentum, so do the quartet's requirements for Mr. Perfect -- and they write down a tongue-in-cheek checklist that's both funny and racy. The next thing they know, the List, as it has come to be called, spreads like wildfire throughout their company and sizzles along e-mail lines. And it doesn't stop there: the List becomes an overnight sensation, grabbing the interest of local newspapers and television coverage. No one expected this avalanche of attention for something that began as a joke among friends. And the joke turns deadly serious when one of the four women is murdered...

The prime suspect in the case is the victim's boyfriend, who was one of a number of men who found the List sexist and offensive. But an impenetrable alibi gets him off the hook. Now, with the help of Jaine's neighbor, an unpredictable police detective, the puzzle must be solved -- and time is running out as a deadly stalker targets the three remaining friends. Now, knowing whom to trust and whom to love is a matter of survival -- as the dream of Mr. Perfect becomes a chilling nightmare.

Putting her "trademark darkly sensual style" (Booklist) into high gear, New York Times bestselling author Linda Howard creates a tour de force of passion and suspense in this electrifying new page-turner, and proves that appearances can be deceiving -- and deadly.

There are authors around that your friends try to gently encourage you to read...or not so gently as the case may be. In the Historical Romance Chat group I am in, one of these authors has been Jayne Ann Krentz, who I must say I haven't had a lot of luck with, although to be fair I haven't read the books that have been recommended. Another of those authors has been Linda Howard, and this time I did listen and get the book that everyone had been suggesting, and it was definitely a good suggestion!

At Friday night drinks Jaine Bright and her three friends set about creating a list to define Mr Perfect. Of course he has to be faithful, and honest amongst others, and yes, sorry to say it but size definitely matters. Unfortunately one of the four girls shows a co-worker the list, and from there it spreads throughout the office, and then to the internet and TV bringing Jaine and her friends a certain notoriety. It also brings them to the attention of a man who is very, very upset, and is willing and able to kill.

Jaine has a history of bad luck in relationships, and she doesn't see that changing any time soon. And definitely not with the neanderthal who is living next door. She is convinced that he must be some kind of career criminal. He drives a noisy hotted up car, comes home at all hours of the night, looks incredibly dangerous except for when he is wandering around his kitchen in the nude when he just looks dangerously sexy.

Jaine being Jaine she goes out to confront him about his inconsiderate behaviour, only to find that he is the very antithesis of what she thinks he is - he is actually a cop. Lucky for Jaine, because as her friends are being picked off by a killer, she is going to need every ounce of protection she can get from Sam Donovan, and they are both hoping that they can figure out who the killer is before any more of her friends are hurt, or Jaine herself.

I really enjoyed the repartee between the Sam and Jaine. I would be pretty happy to put up with a hot next door neighbour like Sam, even if he did have a noisy car etc etc. Instead I have a truck driver who leaves home at 5.50am every morning, and is not hot and is very married! Never mind...a girl can hope can't she!

I actually read this book ages ago, and whilst I really enjoyed it, I have no idea which Linda Howard book to pick up next. Anyone have any recommendations?