Under the surface of small town Texas are dark undercurrents of suffering and depravity: alcoholism, domestic violence, child abuse, arson, animal mutilations -- and brutal, obscene murder. Social worker Sally Hopkins knows that it's only a matter of time before the perpetrator becomes a sexual predator, a serial killer with a twisted mind. Sally's burnt out on Houston's big city crime, just shy of forty, and she doesn't want to be involved -- but no one else in her East Texas hometown of Maryvale has the training to follow the tell-tale clues left at each scene. And the handsome young state trooper who's also been called in to help is helping Sally . He revitalizes her, rekindles her long-buried passion for life -- and together they break through the walls of secrets and lies, to stop the killer before he strikes again.
I think her sophmore attempt out was better than her first. Do not get me wrong, her first book was incredible. If any of you know this woman's backstory you would be amazed. She is a strong woman who writes very well. The copy I have is signed and I will be holding on to it because I feel she will only get better! She keeps you on your toes. I was so wrong about the end of this book. I figured it differently. I loved it. Please indulge yourself and buy this book. I truly took every free moment I had to read this book. I received it as a gift and am eagerly awaiting her third book. Just a side note, her husband is Whitley Strieber and he writes many books as well.
fine police procedural
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
Burned out at almost forty and tired of being AN INVISIBLE WOMAN to groping men, Houston social worker Sally Hopkins quits her job. Feeling more like Ms Dyingly Sad, the depressed Sal seeks solace by returning to the only place she ever felt was home in her troubled life Maryvale, Texas. The town sheriff Sally's Uncle Ed provides her work in his office though she has no experience. Her first case is a disaster as she fumbles and bungles her investigation into animal mutilations. However, she begins to uncover that the town that she thought was her childhood haven is filled with criminal predatory activity. Besides the animal mutilations, sex with a minor, alcohol misuse, illegal drugs and spousal abuse are prevalent. Beneath all that is an apparent serial killer who has murdered three women with a baseball bat. Not trusting even her beloved Uncle, but instead teaming with State Trooper Rob Farley, Sally makes inquiries on all these sinister happenings. Though well written, readers will have a hard time accepting nepotism (of course the White House cronyism makes it a bit more plausible) of a law enforcement official placing an amateur into investigative scenarios even if it is his niece. The story line is all over the place as Supergal Sal works on five major crimes and the homicide case. Still Sal is an intriguing protagonist who does the yeoman's job of keeping the plot somewhat focused as she solves case after case and finds time to fall in love. Harriet Klausner
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