Article and Interview by Elise Cooper
Point of Danger by Irene Hannon is a very timely novel that takes a page from current events, including terrorism, infidelity, and abuse. This first in the series is a riveting mystery. It has non-stop action and strong protagonists, where the tension is ratchet upped.
The book opens with a bang, literally. Political radio talk show host Eve Reilly comes home to find a ticking package on her front porch. Fearing it is a bomb, she calls the police who find that it is a fake and meant just to scare her. A few days later she receives an on-air phone call regarding her private life. Investigating the case is police detective Brent Lange who can’t find any evidence to link the string of unsettling incidents but is convinced they’re connected. As the harassment grows more menacing, it becomes clear someone wants Eve’s voice silenced–permanently.
There is a lot of emphasis on relationships. Hannon explores how a married man lied to someone about his status while having an affair; another man is thinking about an affair; a marriage where emotional abuse is foremost; Eve and Brent dancing around their feelings; and sisterly love.
Regarding Eve and Brent, she is an open book, while he keeps his emotions bottled. Brent struggles with issues from a past relationship even though he and Eve both are attracted to each other. Eve’s sisters, Cate and Grace, have sisterly rivalry, but are there for one another, coming together as one. They have a strong bond that only grows stronger in the face of adversity.
The characters are very likeable and well-developed. Eve is courageous, level-headed, intelligent, and speaks her mind. Brent is determined, honorable, and has a strong sense of duty. The scenes with the sisters are funny, but also very touching.
This suspenseful book, intertwined with some romance, is a page turner. Readers will not be disappointed, and the surprise ending has a twist, readers will not guess.
Elise Cooper: This story is very relevant?
Irene Hannon: I cannot point to the exact moment when I got the idea for the story and series. I am not one of those authors that have this huge pile of ideas. I start every book from scratch. I think what would make a compelling plot and then go with a thread of ideas. A lot of my stories are shaped by what happens in the world around me. In this series, I decided to have three sisters, each with a profession that puts them in the line of fire.
EC: How would you describe Eve?
IH: She is a very outspoken heroine who stands up for what she believes and is not afraid to express her views. She is intuitive, determined, brave caring, and smart.
EC: How would you describe Brent?
IH: Brave, dedicated, an introvert, and caring. He is very careful, cautious, and has trust issues. I think he is also protective, secretive, lonely, and confident.
EC: There are a lot of relationships explored in the story?
IH: A marriage on the rocks, infidelity, and a marriage with abuse. In my books, I do not want to have all the relationships focus on just the hero and heroine. I want to give readers insights on everyone. I take readers into multiple heads of all my characters.
EC: How would you describe the sisterly relationship?
IH: They love to pull each other’s strings, tweaking each other. Yet, they have a strong bond of love. When it comes down to it, they support each other 100%.
EC: There is an unusual dog breed in the book?
IH: The breed is a Bichon Frise. We meet a couple for coffee, and they had this breed dog named Ernie, like in the book. He is a white fur ball that is so friendly and loveable. I should tell my friend I made his dog famous.
EC: Do you do spin exercises, listen to Tom Petty, and have personally renovated your house like Eve?
IH: No to the first two, but I have done some small renovations.
EC: What about your next book?
IH: Cate is highlighted, but all three sisters will be back. Eve will be in it and readers can see the next focus of her life. The plot has the older sister, Cate, doing undercover work at a girls’ boarding school because she is investigating a missing person’s case. It will be out next October and is titled, Labyrinth of Lies.
EC: THANK YOU!!
