Let me warn you right now: this story is dangerous. DO NOT RESEARCH THESE EVENTS! Think of it as a story, and nothing more.
Gavin Gregory often stares into the abyss--that's his job. An elite profiler at the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit, he hunts serial killers for a living. He knows how they behave, how they think, what motivates them. Considered the best at what he does, Gavin goes to investigate when it appears a dormant psychopath has reactivated. The case takes a bizarre turn when psychiatrist, Debra Esteves, contacts him and says she knows who the enigmatic killer is.
It soon becomes apparent that what she means is that she knows what the killer is.
But Gavin is a man of science, a rational man. Can she keep him safe from what is hunting him long enough to convince him she's right?
"This is the best thing [Erik Henry Vick has] ever written!"--Supergirl (Erik's wife)
Vick masters the balance between external and internal stakes as an abundance of characters bring this gritty murder suspense to life. The events unfold along three timelines—2004, 2014, and the present—with the narrative gracefully crossing between them while delving deep into The Smith’s psychological unraveling. Some readers might find keeping track of the large cast frustrating, especially with the regular point-of-view shifts, but the skillfully crafted internal struggles of key characters create an emotional and sympathetic connection that will keep fans engaged and flipping the pages. Foreboding hints of the supernatural loom from start to finish, certain to delight both horror and thriller enthusiasts.
Vick is a seasoned writer who doesn’t hold back. His opening line (“The alley stank of garbage and human waste and blood and imminent death”) demonstrates his ability to evoke the senses and paint a visceral scene -- and alerts readers that the story to come contains a fair amount of gore and disturbing images. The well-crafted plot, memorable characters, and decidedly wicked villain will linger long after the last page is turned. Those looking for an engrossing supernatural thriller containing high stakes will find much to enjoy.
Takeaway: Supernatural thriller and horror fans who don’t mind a bit of gore will get caught up in this smartly plotted thriller with memorable characters.
Great for fans of: John Connolly’s A Book of Bones, Vaughn C. Hardacker’s Wendigo
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-
