Son of the Morning

By: Linda Howard
Grade: B/C range
Genre: Romance

Grace St. John is happily married, sharing a duplex with her brother and husband in the mid 90's, thrilled about living her quiet, studious life. She is an expert in translating ancient languages and has brought some work home with her. One small hitch -- her lap top isn't working right so she runs next door so her wunderteen neighbor can help fix it. And returns home to a nightmare -- as she watches through a window her boss, Parish Sawyer, murders Grace's brother and husband. More, he sets it up so it looks like she did it. On the run for her life, Grace has only her briefcase and a small bit of cash to help her pull a Fugitive -- keep herself free while nailing the real killer.

And all the while the killer stalks her. Because the papers she brought home to work on were never meant to be seen by anyone but him. . . . .

It doesn't take Grace long to figure out that the papers are the clue to the whole thing. Within those papers lie legends of vast powers long forgotten and of a man who controls and guards them throughout eternity. Niall of Scotland, the Guardian, begins to haunt Graces dreams. And when the two finally meet, they must change destiny -- or be destroyed by it.

The start of this book was difficult for me. The mid-90's had already seen quite a bit of forensic work being done and I had a hard time buying that the cover up would work. You always leave a trace of yourself -- especially a conceited guy who wouldn't shave his head or wear anything but his own designer shoes. So I struggled with that a bit.

The part where Grace was becoming a tough, kick a$$ heroine was fantastic! It was great to see her being so take charge and as you get to know her, get to see her change you grow very close to the character.

The end, with Niall and the super villain and the mega power did not impress me as much. I really couldn't get into Niall's and Grace's romance or buy the whole shtick on the religion thing. Did like the special diet idea -- it made sense but the rest -- not so much.

I don't know whether to recommend or not. It's a good book -- but several steps below "Eight" by Katherine Neville.

Tea: This is a coffee book. In honor of the Minnesota setting, try Carribou Coffee.