BLINK OF AN EYE

Once-blind Dr. Kendra Michaels and private eye Jessie Mercado investigate the kidnapping of the world’s most valuable young woman.

With the possible exception of Dr. Allison Walker, who’s tired of hosting her high-profile, paparazzi-rich visits to the Woodward Academy for the Physically Disabled, everyone loves superstar singer Delilah Winter. Her popularity is so immense that Jessie, who headed Dee’s security team before she decided that the star needed a friend more than she needed another employee beholden to her, is surprised that Dee’s scored her and Kendra a pair of tickets to her sold-out concert at the Hollywood Bowl. The two friends agree that it’s a wonderful event, but it ends with a crash when Dee disappears before she can sing an encore and the two bodyguards who are supposed to be protecting her are found dead. The women instantly snap to attention and give chase, but the kidnappers are too quick and too clever for them, and Dee is spirited away and held for a ransom of $20 million, a sum it probably took her several months to earn. Luckily, nobody has to raid her bank account, because her ex-boyfriend, billionaire social network developer Noah Calderon, first offers a reward of $5 million for her safe return, then volunteers to underwrite the entire ransom, since he’s probably made that much since breakfast. The first lovingly detailed ransom drop goes unexpectedly awry, but given the scant investment the Johansens invite readers to make in the new characters, the regulars, or the cookie-cutter suspense, it’s hard to imagine anyone except the heroines losing any sleep over the second.

A thrill-free actioner that’s the perfect gift for friends who’ve been warned about their high blood pressure.