The Burning Cove series offers a new tangent for Amanda Quick: early 20th century setting. The female protagonists may be more independent than in her earlier writing, but the men continue as the complex, shady figures drawn to those strong women.

I appreciate both the new setting and the previously trusted formula for a good read: There's an intriguing adventure in each of the (so far) three books in the series, and I know what I can trust about the story before I begin it.

Tightrope may be the best yet of the trilogy. I liked the unique background of the heroine, and I delighted in the connections of the book's male lead to the previous title's lead: Lots of great connections among the characters, and I always enjoy seeing figures from earlier books show up in the latest.

A series worth your while: You'll get a little fresh perspective, but mostly you'll find what you rely on in Quick's writing.

2.5 stars -- This book had a lot of promise: a genuinely engaging main female lead, a great premise, and a really fun setting (I was really into the overall vibe of this book... it felt very 20s/30s madcap romcom, which I was into). That said, structurally, this book is very messy. The first 2 scenes are literally 2 totally different murder scenes, seemingly unconnected (you see what happens eventually, but its a jarring experience) and then you barrel head first into the solving the second murder. There's not enough set up for you to get your orientation into the world, and I felt like the book never fully regained its pacing from there, at least for me. I also was iffy on the male lead.

That said-- I would try again with this author. The non-plot elements worked really well for me, so I'm thinking if I find the right plot to connect with on her, I would really like something else from her. I've got the first 2 books in this series, so I'm going to go back and start from there

Usually, I am a fan of Amanda Quick novels. She has perfected the craft of balancing romance with suspense. However, this work was not her best. The storyline was everywhere and there were loosely tied ends. The romance was very thin. The mystery was not cleverly plotted because it left the reader in the dark. The beginning also left the reader confused because we are forced to know what was going on. Thus, this was a poorly written novel by Amanda Quick, and I know that she can write better. I recommend this for those that love cozy historical mysteries. However, for fans of Amanda Quick, this novel is a disappointment.

Former circus performer Amalie Vaughn comes to Burning Cove with her aunt Hazel to open an inn after the circus she was employed by goes bust and no other will hire her after speculation that the man she killed was more than her assailant. When her first and only customer is killed on stage by the robot he built, Amalie works with Matthias Jones to find out what really happened and keep her inn from being destroyed by bad publicity.
The Third in the Burning Cove series is not dependent on the first two books, but does contain some characters who were introduced in early books.
Quick's books are always entertaining. The women are strong and smart. Secondary characters are well developed and humor is well used.

This is the third book in the Burning Cove series. This book is set in Calf in the roaring twenties just after the depression. I have enjoyed this series and the characters. Lots of twists and turns in this mystery.

Thanks to Netgalley for letting me read this book in return for an honest review

As always, an enjoyable book with mystery and romance from Amanda Quick! The mystery was interesting with twists and turns and lots of danger. The setting of California during the early 20th century is a refreshing change from other historical romances.

Tightrope by Amanda Quick brings us back to Burning Cove. Espionage, obsession and romance await you in this 1930s historical romantic suspense.

While at times it felt like there was a lot going on, it did help to build suspense and keep me from guessing the person responsible for Pickwell's murder. It was all rather clever. Bravo Quick (Krentz)!

Atmospheric with twists and turns, Tightrope pulled me in and transported me. - Caffeinated Reviewer

A full review will post @ Caffeinated Reviewer on May 2nd. It will be shared on social media, Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you. Link provided will work at release.

Some thoughts:

I love the era this book is set in, but I was missing more of that world. The story is limited in setting as most of the characters could be found at the hotel, or the club. We didn’t get to see too much of Burning Cove, so at times I felt the story existed in a small bubble.

I thought the murder plot was done super well—the killer is well planted and at the reveal, I was congratulating Quick on how well her subtle clues were planted.

As for our main character, I found her capable, and strong, independent with a lot of backbone. I did feel the romance came on quickly—I wish they would have connected more beforehand.

Overall; an enjoyable read!

Tightrope is another great addition to the Amanda Quick arsenal of books. In this Burning Cove third novel, she once again brings her A game to creating a mystery that is both well developed and thrilling. The two main characters of course find romance, but the mystery is really good in this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the E-arc copy of this novel.

Amanda Quick does it again. The latest installment in her 1930s Burning Cove series features a murdering robot, a stolen cipher machine, and a circus “flyer.” Fans are going to devour this one.

The novel opens with a serial killer trying to kill premiere trapeze artist, Amalie, at the circus where she works. Unfortunately, a rumor started that she was the murderer, so Amalie had to give up her career because no one would "fly" with her. Amalie moves to Burning Cove to open a bed & breakfast place with her aunt. Misfortunate seems to follow Amalie, as one of her lodgers is murdered in a bizarre manner. Then Amalie meets the mysterious, and possibly mob connected, Matthias Jones. He is very interested in the events that surround Amalie and she needs to find out why. Great characters, wonderful dialogue, and lots of action make this a great read!

I love this couple. Amalie is strong and smart and Matthias is brilliant and courageous. They're both wary but willing to accept the connection between them. Tightrope has a lovely romance enrobed in an interesting action/suspense plot. Well done..

I am a big fan of this series, and this book may have the best plot yet, The Jones family has been entertaining through the ages and this is no exception. The inclusion of Luther Pell just adds to the layers of complexity. Add in a trapeze artist with a new career and attempted murder and be ready for plenty of illusions and thinking you have it all figured out. Rest assured you do not. The book can stand alone but will be more meaningful as part of the series.

Once again Amanda has a winner. I loved this addition to the series and am looking forward to hopefully Luther and Rainas story.

Could not put this book down. The third in this series and was as wonderful as the first two. Just enough suspense and romance to hold your interest. Love this author in all her forms. She's writing as all three of her selves here. YEAH!!!!!!

Quick's third 1930s-set romantic suspense is a good, fast read. Amalie Vaughn was a star trapeze artist, until a serial killer rigger tried to kill her. After that incident, the circus where she worked went broke, and Amalie and her aunt moved to Burning Cove, California to open a B&B. Killer robots, aging movie stars trying to make a comeback, and espionage complicate their lives, as does reputed mob enforcer Matthias Jones. Matthias is a human lie detector (scion of the Arcane Society's Sylvester Jones), which complicates his own life immensely. He is in Burning Cove to investigate the espionage and related matters.

Appealing characters, well-done suspense, and a burgeoning romance. Recommended.

Another great entry into the Burning Cove series by Amanda Quick. Her signature witty dialogue and fast paced suspense keep readers hooked from beginning to end. Love this time period and the Bogart-esque feel to the drama. Recommended!

Full review to be published online in mid May.

TIGHTROPE is the third book in Amanda Quick's new 'Burning Cove' series, and taking place during the Roaring Twenties. The town of Burning Cove and the Hidden Beach Inn sound like lovely places. Picturing a setting is a very important part of a narrative to me. Unfortunately, I could not place the setting so I had little to anchor me to this tale. I struggled with the plot, which I found somewhat convoluted. The romance was thin and gave the reader more lust than actual romance. I did find the cover very clever and in some ways the most revealing thing about this story.

That being said; TIGHTROPE was an interesting read, and a was a vast improvement to the very uneven previous book in the series.

I think this is my favorite in this series so far! I was engaged with it from start to finish. There wasn't a part in the book that lagged or drug. I was turning the pages waiting to find out whodunit. 

I am not a historical reader. But Amanda Quick keeps pulling me over again and again. I don't know that I want this series to ever end. Her ability to put me right in the story has be salivating for more!

I read this book at just the right time. With its little bit of "cheesiness" and a little bit over the top characters, twists, turns, and events, I was glued to the pages word after word.

Okay sure. Some of the things were easy to see coming. But I think that is the point. Even though you saw little things coming, you don't necessarily see the big picture until they happen. I kind of want to live in Burning Cove. 

The great thing about this series is that you really can read each book separately. Although the characters crossover, they each stand on their own individually.

3.5 Hearts
SJ, Romance Junkies

In TIGHTROPE, the next edition of Amanda Quick's Burning Cove, California series set just after the Great Depression, trapeze artist Amalie Vaughn has a startling brush with death and is starting over by taking on the running of an inn—one apparently cursed as the previous owner, a famous psychic, died there.

So begins a fast-paced but uneven new romantic suspense by the always entertaining Amanda Quick. There's the insertion of a Jones, from Quick's popular Jones family (psychics in many of her previous romances.) This book completely stands alone, however, so readers will not be confused.

As I've said, the book is fast-paced, but the plot is a bit convoluted, or I'm just slow, but I had to reread pages and kept putting the book down, when typically I read an Amanda Quick (a.k.a. Jayne Ann Krentz) novel from start to finish in one sitting. The first few chapters go from one point of view to another, and not just between the hero and heroine, but with several secondary characters that, though important to the story, just kept me distanced from the protagonists a bit too much.

I think the main problem I had with the book centered on the tepid romance between the leads. Amalie is a strong, almost abrasive character from the get-go. With good reason, but it took me a while to warm to her. And the hero, Matthias Jones, was overshadowed by her and just kind of...there...as a suspenseful addition to the cast. It took a good third to half of the book before their romance got started. And then it was almost an afterthought, taking a back seat to the intricate mystery.

Not to go into too much detail, but the plot involves a robot, government agencies, the mob, assassins, a serial killer/s, Hollywood stars, secrets and spies, and oh yes, a touch of romance. 

This was a miss for me, but being an Amanda Quick fan, I had to read it and will no doubt pick up her next book without question. For a mystery with a touch of romance, this is a fun, entertaining read. But I don't think it's one of Amanda Quick's best.