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MY REVIEW

The Burning Desire Dupe by James Blakely is a novel about a houseboat, The Burning Desire, in Juneau Alaska, that is burnt to the ground. Insurance investigators are brought in, and that is when we meet Luna Nightcrow.

Luna is an insurance investigator. She is fifty years old and a Cherokee. I love to see a character that is on the older side, but still manages to be able to hold her own and I do love diverse characters. She had been fired from a California fraud case, so she figured it was a great time to hop on a cruise ship heading to Juneau. She had no idea she would become embroiled in the intrigue that surrounded the destruction of The Burning Desire.

Luna runs into a familiar villain in Juneau, Casper Duppy. He thought he would have a light sentence if he was ever caught, because his crimes were on tribal land. Tough luck for him, because they would add crime on top of crime to take him out of circulation. Now he is suspected of arson.

“Meet the Sting smartphone protector stun gun.” I love it…and I want one.

“Do you want me to have a heart attack on the spot?” Stackhouse gasped.

“Don’t worry. I know CPR.” Luna tried to assure him.

James Blakely adds some lightness and humor to the death and destruction. The mystery of who burned the houseboat was not easily solved. There are plenty of suspects to go around. The danger was subtle, but I had every confidence that Luna could handle whatever came her way.

If you are looking for an intriguing mystery with some intriguing characters, you might want to give The Burning Desire Dupe by James Blakely a try.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos — 4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

The heat is on when a reckless chase gets insurance investigator Luna Nightcrow fired from a California fraud case. But her Alaskan cruise “vacation” becomes an even hotter mess when The Burning Desire, a houseboat turned gentleman’s club in Juneau, burns. And when its shady owner Bernie Sparks is accused of arson, the heat of passion and assassination threaten Luna and fire investigator Kelly Day’s race to find the truth. Ashes, intrigue, and innuendo abound in this not-so-quaint capital town.

Genre: Action And Adventure, Fiction, Indigenous Literature, Women’s Fiction
344 pages, Paperback
Published September 22, 2025 by Powers That Be Publishing

ABOUT JAMES BLAKELY

James Blakley was educated at Missouri Western State College and Washburn University. While at MWSC, he was a local and national award-winning columnist and co-editor of “The Griffon-News” (Associated Collegiate Press Award 1992-93).

Blakley worked 10 1/2 years as a page and as an Assistant Librarian for the River Bluffs Regional Libraries of St. Joseph, MO. He currently lives in Topeka,KS where he worked for The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library before spending several years in clerical and customer support capacities for international computer companies such as EDS and HP. Additionally, Blakley has worked in information gathering and analysis for various government agencies and programs for over a decade.

MY JAMES BLAKELY REVIEWS