DEADLY FEAR

Cynthia Eden

Grand Central Publishing

ISBN# 978-0-446-55924-9

July 2010

Romantic Suspense

 

Sixteen years ago, a serial killer hunted and killed young women after torturing them for two days.  Five butchered bodies had already been found, with another two missing.  They had given up on finding one victim, Mary Jane, because it had been far too long. But they believed they still had a chance finding another young woman, Katherine, who had gone missing.  The killer was called Romeo, because he lured the young women with his charms and looks.  Finally, the police were able to track him down and discovered the young girl was still alive.  Only it wasn't Katherine, but the long lost Mary Jane.  And Romeo was put behind bars where he belonged.

 

Today, another serial killer is hunting young women, preying upon their deepest fears.  FBI Agent Luke Dante has been called in to work with SSD, the Serial Services Division to help hunt him down.  When Dante meets his fellow agents, he is shocked and excited that he will be working with Special Agent Monica Davenport.  After a fling some years ago, he knows that her nickname of "Ice" is not accurate.  The heat and passion they shared belies the fiery depth deep inside.

 

Monica is rattled that Luke, her only weakness in the past years, is working with her on the new serial killer cases.  She tries her best to stay clear of Dante, but as the killer begins using women around them, sending Monica messages about "what scares you?", she knows that the killer will soon come after her.  If she lets Dante get close to her, she knows the killer will use Dante to get to her.  Monica can't take that chance, because the killer seems to be one step ahead of them each time and knows Monica's secrets.  However, the passion between Dante and Monica cannot be denied.  And so begins the delicate dance with the killer...

 

From the very beginning, DEADLY FEAR will pull you in and keep you there until the last page is turned.  With intriguing suspense, the reader is brought along on a roller coaster journey that will delve into the mind of a serial killer bent on toying with his prey.  Monica and Dante both are richly drawn characters who are intuitive about their own weaknesses as well as strengths, but do not let themselves fall into the killer's traps.  Monica is a very strong, courageous heroine that is worthy of her FBI status.  Her equal is Luke Dante, who helps her through more than her "ice" shield as she works through her fears.  The romance is well written with plenty of steamy scenes that doesn't detract from the engaging storyling.  Eden has written such an intricate web of suspense, the reader will be lead on a highly charged pace until the climactic ending.  Highly Recommend!

 

Reviewed by Jennifer Jones

Rating: 4 1/2