MJ LaBeff

PG RATED. An Ohio Harbor Town is dealing with a very unique serial killer who patiently acts during one time in the year, the summer solstice. Four years ago, the killer started the horror by abducting one woman and killing another, leaving her exposed with knife wounds in a ritualistic manner. The woman abducted that year was the sister of Rachel Hood, a homicide detective in the sheriff’s department, who is sure her sister and the other women abducted each year since, but not left dead and exposed, are still alive, especially since Rachel has a hidden psychic gift letting her feel the trauma of the abducted and murdered women, which only heightens her obsession in the case. Now, as the summer solstice comes around, FBI agent Nick Draven has returned to aid the local police in stopping the killer, but he is aware of Rachel’s hidden psychic skills, because he has his own psychic senses inherited by his familial connections to two witch covens. Will they stop the killer before this year’s solstice? Amazingly, the author presents a suspenseful 300+ page paranormal mystery thriller within a timeline of only two days, unveiling a detailed investigation, creating strong character connections, and building a tense climax over a story of just hours. The reader is given a strong limited omniscient perspective of Rachel’s obsession and insecurities, Nick’s romantic feelings and hidden agenda, and the killer’s manic thoughts, all which build to the suspenseful ending. At times, a character’s wavering feelings can feel a bit stretched, but mostly the investigation and action stays on course. Some readers may not care for the slight denigration of the Catholic faith in relation to a positive impression of witchcraft and coven power, but paranormal adherents will be open to this thematic flavor. After the careful buildup to a strong climax, I did feel that a little anticlimactic epilogue to wrap up some character interactions and angsts would have been worthwhile, but for the most part, this was a good paranormal mystery thriller.… (plus d'informations)