Quitting her job in anger and disgust at LA station manager Barry Schorr’s insistent and unwanted groping and sexual advances, she accepts a job offer at a small radio station in Savannah, Georgia. Although Brandi hesitates about returning the Georgia, she decides she wants a fresh start away from a large station and big city egos. When Brandi arrives in Savannah, she immediately antagonizes her new station manager Greg Brannigan. The only way she seems to be able to deal with the men in her life is to arouse them from a distance and then anger them if they get too close. Despite Greg’s doubts and personal feelings, he cannot deny the way in which she sets Savannah a flame with her purring voice as she makes scorching love to her microphone. While Brandi’s no-nonsense attitude puts her at constant odds with the station manager, she begins to make friends with Coy Grantelle, the station’s janitor. An enigma, Coy is thought to be mentally handicap and is treated horribly by Greg and others who think themselves his better. Yet when Brandi looks into Coy’s eyes there is a perceptive keenness that convinces her he is not what he seems.

While Coy is trying to hide from the mistakes and bad decisions in his own past, he watches Brandi secretly. When it becomes clear that a serial killer is stalking Brandi, Coy must come out of his shell to convince Brandi that his feelings are real and he can help protect her. Their growing relationship is hampered by Brandi’s nightmares and inability to consummate their physical relationship. Can Brandi overcome the demons of her past before she loses Coy or the new demon stalking her gets too close?

Midnight Mistress is an erotic thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. A cast of fantastic and complex characters enhances the fast-paced and exciting plot. Ms. Godwin does a remarkable job at giving everyone their own individual voice and bringing out each unique personality, strength, and flaw. I was a bit disappointed with second half of the story when some of the elements seemed a bit too contrived and cliché. Overall I really enjoyed the book. The story centers around Brandi and her evolution and growth in the face of the dangers and challenges she faces rather than a romance or a sensual seduction. I was not convinced a true relationship or love had developed between Brandi and Coy. Brandi had too many of her own issues to deal with to truly work at a relationship with Coy. While the story contains explicit language, Midnight Mistress is not, in my opinion, an arousing tale of erotica but a frank story that does not shy away from potentially disquieting events. Some readers may be disturbed by the sexual abuse Brandi experienced as a child and the stalkers violent serial killings, the scenes though are essential to the plot development and understanding of the characters. The dark and moody atmosphere of Ms. Godwin’s thriller amplifies the chills in this character driven tale of suspense.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Explicit

Reviewer: Larenda Twigg
July 20, 2004