The Chilling Deception

Guinevere Jones #2

by Jayne Castle

GUINEVERE JONES -- Besides being brainy, brave, and beautiful, she had an uncanny way with people. From the moment she found the gold gun in the mauve-and-black marble executive washroom, she knew Mr. Vandyke was in serious trouble.

ZACHARIAH JUSTIS -- Only the promise of a wild weekend cavorting with Guinevere in the wintry San Juan Islands convinced him to come along to provide security for Vandyke Development.

But it was business before pleasure when events brought them face-to-face with chilling danger and a dead man determined to avenge the past.

Genres: Romance, Mystery, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, Suspense, Fiction, Contemporary Romance

191 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 1, 1986

About the author

The author of over 40 consecutive New York Times bestsellers, JAYNE ANN KRENTZ writes romantic-suspense, often with a psychic and paranormal twist, in three different worlds: Contemporary (as Jayne Ann Krentz), historical (as Amanda Quick) and futuristic (as Jayne Castle). There are over 30 million copies of her books in print.

She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.

Ms. Krentz is married and lives with her husband, Frank, in Seattle, Washington.

Pseudonyms:
Jayne Ann Krentz
Amanda Quick
Stephanie James
Jayne Bentley
Jayne Taylor
Amanda Glass

Reviews

[Kaitlyn Dunnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been my "waiting room" read, so it took me awhile to finish it. Good story, but some slow spots. My biggest gripe is that the last chapter is actually the first chapter of the next book in the series. I hate it when publishers do that without telling you that's what they're doing. Of course, since I'm going right on to read the next one, I can't complain too much.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one slightly better than the first book in the series, maybe because I was becoming more tolerant of the definite 80's slant. I was fairly annoyed with the tedious and repetative doubts both Guinevere and Zac kept expressing about the status of their relationship. The best description I can think of for this book is shallow.I kept wanting more...more depth to the romance...more insight into both Zac and Guinevere's characters...more suspense, etc.....

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Republished novels from the 80s are sometimes fun and sometimes filled with funny and slightly off putting cultural references. The story line of The Chilling Deception was ho hum, and the main character's relationship doesn't have the charm that most of Castle's more current work contains. There are two more books in the series that might be fun summer reads. But if you're looking for a good read, don't pick up this one unless you are a devoted fan.

[Teri-K · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first one enough to read on, but this one was so dull at 40% I just decided to stop. There's nothing here but the two of them thinking that they don't know what the other one is thinking about their relationship. Oh, wait, there was perhaps a guy standing on a cliff. But we didn't actually see him, so we don't know for sure. This book needs a huge plot infusion! Too bad. I'll probably try another and at some point and see if it's better.

[JoAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Chilling Deception by Jayne Castle/Jayne Ann Krentz is set in the 1980s and has not stood the test of time. Don't get me wrong as I still adore Ms. Krentz's writing style and the mystery was well crafted; but Zac Justis would not be an acceptable hero today. All in all the mystery kept me engaged and I'll be reading the next one in the series.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although the dialogue was not quite as interesting as in the first book, the characters and plot continue to impress. Having just moved to the Pacific Northwest, I enjoyed the descriptions of Seattle areas and the San Juans, especially the hypothermia theme. The first thing I noticed about this area was how COLD the water is compared to the Atlantic where I grew up, so I could almost feel the chill that Guinevere experiences at different times during the story. It was something I could resonate to. The drizzly rain and overcast conditions that occur regularly here were another. I'm looking forward to the next in this series. I also love the way the relationship between Zac and Guinevere is progressing, slowly and with diverging assumptions about the direction it is taking. It is quite amusing in several places as the reader enters their thoughts in a given situation and finds them so different.

[Paraphrodite · Rating 3 out of 5]

I see the resemblance to "Moonlighting" - Zac does sound like Bruce Willis, when he still has hair....

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Chilling Deception, our second outing with Guinevere and Zac, continues the themes from the first book, in that the plot is more engaging (if unbelievable), but the hero keeps getting more and more annoying.

Guinevere is filling in as an executive secretary for the extremely nervous Mr. Vandyke. When he asks her to accompany him on a business trip to the San Juan Islands, she convinces both (a) Zac to take him on as a security client and (b) Mr. Vandyke to hire Zac. Gwen and Zac are partially motivated by the idea of having a romantic weekend away together, but all involved are doomed to disappointment.

Gwen wants to “define the relationship” (eyeroll), while Zac wants to get laid. Supposedly this is to soften Gwen up to make more of a commitment, but when he’s blatantly continuing to try to seduce her over her repeated objections, and constantly condescending to and insulting her, it doesn’t set well. Both of them are very annoyed with Mr. Vandyke for wanting them to, you know, DO WORK on a BUSINESS TRIP. Vandyke (while admittedly being cagey) is literally fearing for his life and asks Zac to not sleep with Gwen the night before a big meeting (that he even has to say this is ridiculous to me). Then Gwen just can’t help herself and convinces Zac to bone her, while her boss can clearly hear them on the other side of the connecting door. THIS IS NOT HOT. THIS IS DUMB. At other times, Zac is obviously possessive in front of other clients and their support staff, they kiss in front of these people, etc., these are the MOST unprofessional people ever.

The suspense plot is rather all over the place, but more fun than in the previous book. I also enjoyed the setting of the San Juans. The fashion and technology are appropriately dated, considering the book was written in the 80s.

[Michelle Randall · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off - I absolutely love Jayne Castle's future novels. Have from the day I discovered Amaryllis and still do to this day.

Second 0ff - Modern day stories - usually those are under the author's real name, Jayne Ann Krentz - and I just don't seem to be able to get into those, they just don't intrigue me

Third off - historical stories - written under the pen name Amanda Quick - love them.


Ok...so now that you know I love the past and the future, but I can't get into the present you might understand my review a little better.

I felt tricked by this book. It was under the Jayne Castle name, so I expected future. Nope, its a present day - although a bit of a dated present day. I'm not sure what it is about the present day stuff, but none of it intrigues me or catches my interest like the past or the future.

Now, I'm not going to absolutely pan this book, because its still good writing and a decent story, its just not my cup of tea.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

GUINEVERE JONES and ZACHARIAH JUSTIS -
pair up again... though their relationship remains undefined (they get to the point of each confessing they're not seeing anyone else... and both feel their best when with the other)

and they protect and solve the mystery of her temp boss, who is presenting his plans for a resort... to a man who is the puppet of his small plane/Caribbean partner (who ended up being a drug runner - was the boss too? probably). from a dozen years past that was thought dead...

a weekend of meetings on an island, with her as secretary, him as security... ending with rescue of the boss on an uninhabited island, where he was shot in the knee and left to die (partner's revenge)...together they save the boss and get the bad guy...

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guinevere
Zac

Guinevere runs a Temp Agency and she is on a job as an Executive Secretary when she gets the feeling her boss is in danger. Zac Justis runs a Security Company and Guinevere and him are trying to figure out if they are in a relationship. Guinevere talks her Boss into giving Zac a job for the weekend of business presentations in the San Juan Islands. Also hoping she would be able to talk to Zac about their relationship. While on the island the danger Guinevere felt manifests. This is a good quick read. The characters are interesting. This book continues the attraction between Guinevere and Zac. I would definitely read more books by this author and the series.

[Julia David · Rating 4 out of 5]

They just wanted a weekend together. Guinevere has taken a temporary job and is concerned that her boss is having some kind of problem. Zac isn't so sure but decides to take the job of protecting him. Once they are at the San Juan Island, nothing goes the way Zac wanted it to go. Zac and Gwen are both sure that her boss is in danger, but he won't tell them anything. When her boss goes missing, Gwen and Zac start the search. Can they find him in time?

[Alexis Rogers-Esparcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute..

She has grown so much as an author since her first books as Jayne Castle. The main love interest is a lot less annoying in her new books. I don't know what it is about this guy but he annoys me.

It's still a cute easy read.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

1980s romance novels do not age well. Everything about the male lead is a cautionary tale in what not to want in a relationship - possessive, overbearing, belittling to females. I kept waiting for him to throw the woman over his shoulder and lock her in a room for the rest of her life.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Obviously an early book, and that's why it's 2 stars instead of 1. It gives hints of later writings, but just isn't quite right. I expect older books to have outdated technology; that's fine. The dated aspects that bothered me were the gender role assumptions and personal attitudes; I didn't expect them to be modern, but they just irritated a little.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. This whole series is just plain fun. I enjoyed the growing relationship between the hero and heroine. The mysteries in each book were thankfully completed in each book. They were good mysteries also. This books for me are definitely a keeper.

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Chilling Deception (Guinevere Jones, #2)
by Jayne Castle (Goodreads Author)

My dislike of Zac Justis is growing with every book. He is every guy that people these days report for abuse and women avoid, except the nuts that think this is a what "real man" is supposed to be like.

[SaraJean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really only read it because it was in the same binding with the first book in the series. It was fine though. Better than the first one, at least.

[cathedralwindow85 of BRISEIS]

Classic J.A.K. LLC novel. Now avail. on Kindle reads', as well as Nook by Barnes & Noble.

[Laurla2]

published in Desperate and Deceptive: The Guinevere Jones Collection Volume 1

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's okay. I really prefer his paranormal books more.

[aem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable mystery - but found Gwen to be a bit annoying...

[Nancy Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this.

[Annie Difranco]

did not actully read this

[Mai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy her books and this one is no exception!

[Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Patsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t really like Guinevere.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guinevere Jones is temping for Vandyke Industries, a land development corporation. She is worried because the boss, Mr. Vandyke, is acting very strangely and seems depressed. When Mr. Vandyke suggests she accompany him to a San Juan Islands resort to meet with others about a land deal, she offers the services of Zac Justis' company, Free Enterprise Services, as security for Mr. Vandyke and his top secret plans.

Zac is not to keen on the idea of playing bodyguard to a brief case, but warms to the idea when he realizes that he and Gwen could have some vacation time to themselves. But this weekend turns into business before pleasure when they both realize that Mr. Vandyke is keeping a secret that could get him killed.

Good mystery. I really like this series. My rating: 4 Stars.

[Julie (jjmachshev) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 in the 'Guinevere Jones' 4-book series by Jayne Ann Krentz writing as Jayne Castle.

In "The Chilling Deception", Gwen has cajoled Zach into accepting a weekend job with her current temp employer. They will accompany her employer to a weekend business retreat. Zach will keep an eye on the important papers while Gwen does the executive secretary thing. Neither expects that their calm weekend will become a battle for their lives.

Another quick, enjoyable read. Loved revisiting the 80s and am so glad they're done with!!

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second of the Guinevere Jones & Zac Justis "mysteries"
Gwen and Zac are now more than just friends, so when Gwen is temping as an executive secretary for a depressed executive and finds a gold gun in the executive restroom she decides that Zac is just the man to help her help the new boss. When a weekend in the San Juan Islands in added in Zac, thinking he's being invited for a naughty weekend away is more than happy to help out.