Do you like John Grisham? Do you like mysteries? If so, I think you’d like Stella Cameron’s French Quarter. Sizzling and suspenseful, Cameron’s murder-mystery romance will keep your brain whirling, whether you’re trying to figure out “Who did it?” or calm your senses from the smoldering sensuality in the story.

Cameron starts the story en media res — right in the middle — of a crisis: Errol Petrie, co-founder of a New Orleans charity foundation, is found dead in his apartment. The police determine his death is no accident. Everyone close to him is drawn into the turmoil surrounding his demise, including partner Jack Charbonnet and friend, co-worker Celina Payne.

Celina and Jack have known each other through Errol, but neither thinks too highly of the other until the pair are forced to deal with Errol’s death together. Celina, a former Miss Louisiana, grew up immersed in New Orleans high society. Jack, orphaned as a child, grew up taking advantage of his ties with the mob. Despite the weakness of her parents, Celina is brilliant and independent. Jack soon finds himself attracted to her physically and emotionally. Jack’s the kind of guy who likes to solve problems, and he and Celina certainly face a lot of problems after Errol’s death. What better way to solve Celina’s problems than marry her, and protect her himself?

A modern “marriage of convenience” bonds Jack and Celina together, along with their strong physical attraction. But can they escape the danger and mayhem attacking from all sides? Cameron includes more than one villain in this story. While you’re reading about each new crisis Jack tries to avert, you’re also trying to solve the real mystery of the novel: “Who killed Errol Petrie…. and why?”

Murder, mayhem, marriage. What more do you need? I would have liked one more sex scene between Jack and Celina (the one that appears in the book is incredibly arousing!) And I would have liked the mystery to resolve a little slower (the entire thing seemed to wrap up in the last three chapters), but Stella Cameron’s French Quarter is a solid book with strong characters, good plot, and great sensuality.