Loaded

From Publishers Weekly Exploding like a string of firecrackers let loose beneath one's feet, Shattuck's debut novel keeps the reader deliciously on edge. Raw action collides with secrets and family conflicts as one of the most vivid heroines to hit the shelves recently tries to discover who wants her dead. Hard-shelled Callaway Wilde has everything a young woman in L.A. could need: beauty, brains and lots and lots of money. But her wealth has left her saddled with bitter relatives (including acid-tongued "Attila the Mum") and an inability to trust anyone. An attempt to kill her seems at first to be simply a matter of Cally being in the wrong place at the wrong time. But too soon Cally realizes she's in serious trouble and has few allies, with the possible exception of attractive L.A. police detective Evan Paley, who remains unfazed by Cally's wealth and sees the vulnerabilities she hides behind it. But it's not until a half sister surfaces that Cally's world is shaken to the core-and the reason behind the attacks becomes clear. Glib, cynical and assured in many ways but deeply unsure in others, Cally's voice spins a siren's call that, combined with Shattuck's electric pacing, will keep readers glued to this novel.Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. About the Author Shari Shattuck debuted her socialite-sleuth Callaway Wilde in her critically acclaimed suspense novel