Elizabeth Lowell books are obviously fairly formulaic but I still find them to be an enjoyable quick read. I think her books are at their best when they are part of a series so she has a chance to develop the characters and story a bit more. I especially like her series that deal with rare artifacts. This series is one of hers that I think works the best. ( )

So the Donovan saga continues. If you haven't guessed by now, the series focuses on one member of the Donovan clan at a time. The last book, Jade Island, introduced Kyle Donovan. In Pearl Cove it's older brother Archer Donovan's turn to take the spotlight. He has been called to the rescue of Australian Hannah McGarry for personal and professional reasons.
The back story: Hannah's husband, Len, has just been found murdered with an oyster shell buried in his chest. The oyster shell is symbolic as Hannah and Len ran a business cultivating pearls. Before his death, Len had developed a technique of producing a unique rainbow black pearl. His process was so secret that not even Hannah knew how it was done. Now a whole necklace of these rare pearls has gone missing. With Len dead and the pearl farm on the brink of bankruptcy, Hannah is in danger. She could lose the farm and her life if she doesn't convince ruthless competitors that she doesn't know the secret process to producing perfect black pearls. She is forced call in favor and ask for help from Len's silent partner, Archer Donovan. ( )

Pearl Cove by Elizabeth Lowell
#3 Donovan series
3-1/2*
Audio narrated by Robin Rowan.

Archer Donovan receives a call from his half-brother's wife, letting him know of his death after a tropical storm and asking for his help, as she is sure that he was murdered. Archer immediately returns to Australia to help her, although it has been 10 years since he has seen either her or Pearl Cove, a business in which he has half-interest.

There had been a lot of acrimony between him and his brother, Len, especially over Len's wife, Hannah McGarry. He and Len had both worked together in the secret world of undercover operations for the government before Len got in over his head and received an injury which left him in a wheelchair. He was bitter about that and the undesirable side of his personality came to the forefront. Len was abusive and controlling and jealously demanded that Archer never return or Hannah herself would be the one to face his wrath. Archer reluctantly had left as requested, knowing he secretly loved Hannah but couldn't have her. Upon his return, he was still as drawn to her as he had been a decade before. She, however, has lived for years with a cold, hard husband and sometimes sees the same look in Archer's eyes. It takes her a while to allow herself to see the real Archer underneath that look and to know that he is not his brother.

Archer quickly confirms that Len had been murdered and that Hannah was now a target. On top of that, there is now a mystery surrounding the disappearance of a priceless triple-strand of unusual rainbow-colored black pearls, as well as the method of developing those pearls which Len took to his grave.

Archer sweeps Hannah off to Seattle and to the Donovan family compound for her safety. The two then start hunting around trying to find any information on a sighting of the Black Trinity necklace, knowing that if they find that, they will find the killer.

First read in 2012, rated 4*. ( )

Pearl Cove by Elizabeth Lowell
Love talks about the pearls themselves, the peeling of the layers and how she does it and the outcome.
Hannah hopes to find the murderer of Len and find the rainbows. Archer Donovon, Len's brother, might be able to help her find them.
She taught the workers children and that would keep her protected for a few hours. Christian Flynn is a diver and treasures.
She owns Pearl Cove and others want it and what it holds. Kyle is the youngest brother and he helps fill in the blank spaces for Archer with all kinds of information.
ARcher started with the clues to help find the killer. Love the action and adventure as they try to find the killer and he finds out more information about her past life.
Love the travel as they go to various places around the world following the clues....
Hot steamy raw sex scenes...Really liked this one I know I will read the others in the series and those by this author.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device). ( )

I really enjoyed this book. I thought this one was better then Jade Island and it had been a while since I read Amber Beach. I cannot wait to start reading Midnight in Ruby Bayou. ( )