SOLVED. Gothic/contemporary/romantic suspense a woman is strangled by a man in a monk's habit. [s]

[Tamtam54]

At the beginning of the story a woman is strangled by a man in a monk's habit. The heroine (who is a dead ringer for the missing woman) is at an auction trying to get her hands on something called the"heart's flame" which she wants to give to her ailing grandmother who has dementia. The missing woman's husband (who I think is a scientist or doctor) buys it instead but will give it to the heroine if she pretends to be his missing wife and stays until her approaching birthday so that he can receive the inheritance. The setting is an old monastery turned into the hero's home. I've been trying to find it for ages please help!

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

When did you read it or when was it published? Series or standalone? Author female or male? Paper book, ebook, other format? Remember the cover? What country/region is it set in?

And to clarify, is it both gothic and contemporary? I thought gothic was not contemporary.

[Tamtam54]

I believe it was published in the 90s and the author was female. It was paperback and was standalone. I don't remember the cover but believe it was in the U.S. set on the east coast. I believe the author was trying for a gothic type atmosphere but it was in a modern setting. The hero had a lab and used a computer. He was trying to solve a genetic disease that only affected the males in the small town.

[Kris]

Blackmailed Bride by Sylvie Kurtz matches your description. The Aidan heart is an heirloom the heroine tries to purchase from an auction.

[Tamtam54]

That's the one! Thank you so much!

[Kris]

Great! Glad you found your book, Tamtam54. I got lucky with a Google search:

site:www.amazon.com "romantic suspense" auction grandmother pretend missing wife