Suspense, danger, romance, and family drama converge as a rising star profiler strives to stay one step ahead of the criminal mind—and discovers that her own demons may be the hardest to outrun...
Laurel Snow wouldn’t call hunting a serial killer a vacation, but with a pile of dead bodies unearthed near her Genesis Valley, WA, hometown, she’ll take what she can get. Yet something about this case stirs her in unexpected ways. Like the startling connection she feels to Dr. Abigail Caine, a fiercely intelligent witness with a disturbing knack for making Laurel feel like she has something on her. Then there’s Laurel’s attraction to Huck Rivers, the fish and wildlife officer guiding her to the crime scene—and into the wilderness . . .
Laurel Snow wouldn’t call hunting a serial killer a vacation, but with a pile of dead bodies unearthed near her Genesis Valley, WA, hometown, she’ll take what she can get. Yet something about this case stirs her in unexpected ways. Like the startling connection she feels to Dr. Abigail Caine, a fiercely intelligent witness with a disturbing knack for making Laurel feel like she has something on her. Then there’s Laurel’s attraction to Huck Rivers, the fish and wildlife officer guiding her to the crime scene—and into the wilderness . . .
A former soldier and a trained sniper, Huck’s thirst for blood is rivaled only by his fierce pursuit of Laurel. He’s been burned by love, wounded by the government, and betrayed before, and to say he has trust issues is the ultimate understatement . Plus, he might be closer to this killer than anybody knows…
Once in the heart of darkness with Huck, Laurel must negotiate her distracting desire for him, her complex rapport with Abigail—and her mission to find a serial killer among a growing list of suspects and a danger that’s far too close to home. So close in fact, Laurel fears she will never find her way back to the woman she once was . . .
This is the start of a new series featuring brilliant FBI profiler Laurel Snow. She is called back to her small town to assist a family member under investigation. And the investigation becomes bigger and more dangerous than anyone could have predicted. There is a serial killer's work now exposed but he is still at large. She has some new allies and some new enemies and some she cannot quite categorize. There are people gunning for her, everyone is at risk, girls are going missing, and now it seems like the killer is playing with her specifically. Laurel has her work cut out for her and everyone is depending on her.
The fish and wildlife officer Huck Rivers seems to be the best person to assist her. But he is more of a quiet, grumpy, intimidating loner and has his own issues.
The fish and wildlife officer Huck Rivers seems to be the best person to assist her. But he is more of a quiet, grumpy, intimidating loner and has his own issues.
This is definitely more thriller and suspense than romance but there is a little bit of an interest and possibilty. There are quirky characters, extreme personalities, and some deep community ties. There are twists and surprises and a lot of action and suspense.
The winter landscape is almost its own character and adds more difficulty. I am interested to see where her new journey and challenges take her. I am already invested in some of the side characters and all of the dynamics.
The winter landscape is almost its own character and adds more difficulty. I am interested to see where her new journey and challenges take her. I am already invested in some of the side characters and all of the dynamics.
Laurel Snow thought she was ready for a vacation, but when bodies are discovered near her hometown, she finds herself using her down time to track down a killer. She is a bit of a savant and can read people with ease in a professional capacity, though her personal social skills are sometimes lacking. As she begins to dig into the case, she meets several people who have her questioning her profile and everything she knows about investigating.
Huck Rivers is a Fish and Wildlife officer who knows the area better than anyone else. But he is a bit of a recluse and a mystery to most of the people in town. He would rather explore with his dog than play nice with his neighbors.
This case quickly becomes personal as pieces of the investigation begin pointing towards the killer playing with her. Laurel has minimal support from the nearest FBI office, and the locals are not keen on sharing information or working together, with the exception of some help from Fish and Wildlife. She cobbles together a rag-tag team to do what she should have a full fledged experienced crew to do.
As Laurel and Huck try to work together, they also recognize a growing attraction between them. The romance was secondary to the case, as fits both of their personalities, but I loved the pull between them nonetheless. They are each loners in their own ways and I always love it when loners find their place.
This is the first Laurel Hill story and I am looking forward to more from this series. It had a great combination of clues and twists that kept me guessing from start to finish, characters with interesting quirks and personalities, and a setting that had me wishing for the warmth of a fire on a cold winter day.
Book 2
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November 29, 2022
Rebecca Zanetti
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner - only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha males and the women who claim them. She writes dark paranormals, romantic suspense, and sexy contemporary romances.
Growing up amid the glorious backdrops and winter wonderlands of the Pacific Northwest has given Rebecca fantastic scenery and adventures to weave into her stories. She resides in the wild north with her husband, children, and extended family who inspire her every day--or at the very least give her plenty of characters to write about.
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