I feel bad about passing on this book at BEA as it was excellent. It started off a bit slow but not so slow that it didn't keep my interest. And the slow stuff is important (lots of clues!!). The story really picks up on page 275, that is where the thing happens that makes me love this book. I don't want to spoil it, but it's one of my favorite things. Not a lot of romance in the book, but you're so wrapped up in the story that it doesn't even matter.