World famous cellist "Caterina 'Cat' Shaw" consents to undergo
risky experimental gene therapy at "Wardwell Biotech", to treat an
inoperable brain tumor. She is considered a terminal case. Caterina
is under the care of physicians "Dr. Raymond Edwards" and "Dr. Rudy
Wells", co-founders of the Wardwell program. When Dr. Wells is
found brutally murdered in the Wardwell laboratory, and Caterina is
nowhere to be found she becomes the number one suspect and is
hunted by authorities.
Dr. Edwards hires mercenary "Miguel 'Mick'Carrera", well known for
his success in solving client's 'problems' by completing
assignments discretely through whatever means necessary. Mick has
developed a thick skin, the eldest son of a close Hispanic family
who endured tough times; he honed his special skills through years
of military training and experience providing private security.
Despite the nature of his current work, as a reader I knew early on
that Mick possesses an inner sense of integrity and honor. When
something doesn't quite ring true for Mick with respect to Edwards'
story about Caterina Shaw, a seeming delicate, demure cellist being
a cold-blooded murderer, the red flags begin to fall.
Caterina Shaw is terrified, weak, and desperate. She has escaped
confinement and her tormentors but her thoughts are muddled, she is
experiencing difficulty focusing, remembering. Lost in a forest,
naked and alone, one memory does surface, a place where her music
brought her peace of mind. With what little reserve she has left
she strikes out for this destination.
Through careful investigative work Mick tracks Caterina to the
Academy of Music and what he finds completely unnerves him. Another
mercenary hired by Edwards has found Caterina first and wounds her.
Mick discovers bright droplets of yellow-green phosphoresced liquid
along a corridor in his search for her. Further inspection reveals
the liquid is blood, and when he does find Caterina, all that is
visible is the clothing she is wearing, and her eyes when she opens
them. Caterina, you see, is like a chameleon, in times of stress,
her skin turns the same color and texture as whatever she is next
to.
Mick takes the wounded, obviously abused and malnourished woman to
his 'safe house' and enlists the help of his physician sister
"Liliana" to treat her. Liliana is an orthopedic resident at the
local hospital and through connections is able to have Caterina's
unusual blood secretly analyzed.
Along with the obvious signs of abuse on her body it is also
discovered that Cat has a significant genetic DNA abnormality, and
she has been pumped full of medication that induces disassociative
behavior, hallucinations etc. At this point the alarm bells are
screaming in Mick's mind with respect to the good Dr. Edwards and
Wardwell Biotech.
Mick is a strong, handsome man with an air of danger that attracts
the kind of woman who enjoys a quick affair and moves on. He has
never been involved in a long-term relationship and given his line
of work, he compensates by telling himself it's probably a good
thing. Mick convinces himself that 'Cat' is his 'mission',
'captive', 'target', even to point of subconsciously referring to
her as "Shaw".
However, as the days go on and the drugs wear off enabling
Caterina's true personality to emerge, Mick cannot deny his
developing feelings for her. Caterina Shaw is a beautiful,
sensitive, delicate, refined musician who has been used in a
medical experiment which as given her unusual "powers", at a huge
cost. She also possesses a determination and strength that belies
her other qualities.
In the setting of danger and suspense Caterina and Mick's unusual
relationship develops into a deep love. The love scenes in this
story are special and sensuous but not erotically graphic.
"Sins of the Flesh", is a fast paced page-turner, the narrative
packed full of action and suspense with number of surprising plot
twists. Ms. Piñeiro also developed strong supporting characters
including some pretty nasty antagonists.
The one thing that niggled me is Liliana, Mick's sister. There is a
sub-plot written into the story concerning her abusive relationship
with staff physician "Harrison Edgar Williams". While it showed
Liliana's strength of character in her management of Harrison's
abuse, and reinforced Mick's love of his sister I didn't quite
understand its necessity. I also felt Liliana being a physician was
a little too convenient. However, the story was riveting and I was
therefore able to overlook these small issues.
"Sins of the Flesh", is the first of a series Ms. Piñeiro is
writing and I will look forward to reading her next book "Stone
Cold Sins".
Rating 4.5