Description
When a senator's daughter is murdered at a religious revival in Washington, FBI Special Agent Maggie O'Dell, a criminal profiler, and R.J. Tully, her partner, suspect that it's the work of a serial killer. They soon discover that the girl's murder is connected to the suicides of five young men during a Waco-like standoff in a rural Massachusetts cabin--even if they're not sure how. But then Maggie learns that the minister who seems to have turned her alcoholic mother's life around and Revered Joseph Everett, the charismatic sect leader whose followers died in the standoff, are the same person, and he may have drawn her into his deadly web to get at Maggie herself. Is the serial killer one of Everett's acolytes--and will Tully's daughter and Maggie be his next victims? Kava's third thriller (after Split Second and A Perfect Evil ) showcases her gifts of pacing, plotting, and characterization; Maggie O'Dell is a smart, likable protagonist. She and Tully deserve a return engagement. --Jane Adams From Publishers Weekly Kava dives headfirst into the headline-grabbing worlds of cult religions and FBI standoffs in this third novel to feature Special Agent Maggie ODell, whose profiler talents were first showcased in A Perfect Evil and Split Second. When a Massachusetts standoff results in the deaths of five out of six young cult members holed up in a backwoods cabin, things are bad enough. But when a U.S. senator's daughter is found murdered in Washington, D.C., and her death seems to be related to the cult and its charismatic leader, Rev. Joseph Everett, the situation really heats up for Maggie and her partner, R.J. Tully. The case hits particularly close to both partners homes, since Maggie's former alcoholic mother has joined Everett's church and Tully's daughter was with the senator's daughter on the night she was killed. Will Maggie be able to solve the case without endangering her own mother? From the Ruby Ridge-like standoff to the inability of some spiritual leaders to sexually practice what they preach, the novel manages to humanize both the seemingly impersonal institution of the FBI and cultists who are normally just labeled as wacko. Kava uses a strong supporting cast to provide Scarpetta-like authenticity and the psychological insights of Alex Delaware, and gross-out levels are high enough to satisfy the Fear Factor contingent. Add to that a clever surprise ending, and this one is sure to be spotted all over the beach by summers end.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. " . . . a well-crafted page turner . . . " -- Publishers Weekly "A suspense thriller with enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing until the last page." -- Mystery Scene "Alex Kava has crafted a suspenseful novel and created a winning character in Agent O'Dell." -- Washington Post Book World "Maggie is gutsy and appealing as an FBI agent facing constant danger." -- Library Journal kkk"Ms. Kava's . . . novel is a formidable one, filled with characters comfortable with themselves and acting out their roles intelligently and believably." -- Dallas Morning News Before starting to write full-time, Alex Kava worked in advertising and graphic design. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America. Alex Kava lives in Omaha, Nebraska, with her two dogs, Miss Molly and Scout. Read more
Features & Highlights
- FBI Special Agent and criminal profiler Maggie O'Dell, along with her partner Tully, investigate two cases--the murder of a senator's daughter in Washington, D.C., and a deadly shoot out in Massachusetts--both of which are linked to Reverend Joseph Everett, the high-profile leader of a religious sect who is dating Maggie's mother. 150,000 first printing.
