Tavish Advani had a thing for money and older women-especially older women with money. He had three such relationships, all resulting in a woman's death after each bestowed him money, condos, and other lucrative tidbits. He was extremely good-looking and knew how to make his own money, but he could lose it at the gambling table just as fast. A very flawed character. He had raised suspicion with the LA police, and even when the cases closed without any evidence pointing in his direction, one of the cops wasn't resting until he nailed him. That's how his life was going until he saw Diya at a crowded party. Her name means "light" in Hindi and she absolutely glowed that night-he was smitten with her and she with him, they married in Vegas five weeks later. Diya couldn't wait to introduce Tavish to her family so they flew to New Zealand to start a new life there. This suited Tavish very well as he could escape his American reputation, which Diya knew nothing about.
Her family was extremely wealthy, both were doctors and pillars of their community. Unfortunately, they had their golden son Bobby who could do no wrong, and Diya wasn't allowed to grow into her own person, which was why she stayed in California when she was given a chance to leave her traditional Hindu house. Her parents insisted on the pair not telling anyone that they had already married and were going to throw them a lavish Indian wedding which was fine with the couple. Tavish was sent out to pick up some tasting morsels to choose their wedding cake and when he returned to her parent's house, he found it on fire. He entered the house through broken glass, fire and smoke, and located Diya, who seemed to be wearing a flowered dress, but when he pulled her out he saw that she had been stabbed multiple times. Shumi, Diya's sister-in-law, had always loved Bobby and had grown up with Diya and her brother in Fiji. She was also out of the house with stab wounds, but Diya's parents and their son Bobby were not so lucky-no one else escaped. Then the house exploded.
Diya and Shumi were brought to the hospital, both unconscious and in the ICU. While Tavish stayed at his wife's bedside, a detective was assigned to get to the bottom of the attacks, and Tavish was the prime suspect. He knew his reputation was tarnished but he also knew that he didn't set the fire. His task was to find out who set the fire and why, before he was hauled away by the police. If Diya or Shumi woke up, he was sure that they could clear him. Unless they had lost their memories.
Nalini Singh is the author of many books, including thrillers, paranormal romance, and series novels. This is the first that I've read by this wildly popular writer and it was a real treat. As readers follow Tavish as he tries to unearth the truth, they will also experience the beauty of New Zealand and Fiji, places where Singh grew up and knows well. A perfect escapist novel.
Reviewed by Donna Ballard
January 27, 2026
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