As a suspense novel, there is plenty here that will keep readers guessing. The line between the good guys and bad guys is blurred, and no one is exactly as they seem. Through a series of tantalizingly subtle hints, the plot slowly unfolds to reveal the who’s who in the San Francisco drug world. However, while the plot keeps readers on their toes, the characters leave something to be desired. Parra attempts to paint a picture of Ana’s complex childhood, but what we see of the heroine's psyche is stereotyped and predictable. When Ana is ordered to get close to Saven her thoughts and actions seem inconsistent. The trust that Saven puts in Ana after she steals his wallet, and the betrayal he feels every time she isn’t fully honest with him, are responses more appropriate for a teenage boy than a grown man. Parra’s characters are far from realistic, however, the suspenseful plot carries the story through and will fulfill romance readers’ expectations. Ultimately, Criminal Instinct makes you work just as hard as the characters to figure out what’s going on.