Headlights

Leede (American Rapture) spins the chilling story of a prodigal FBI agent called back to Denver, the site of an unsolved case, where he confronts the dark forces that have shaped his life to solve a series of brutal murders. Agent Daniel Stansfield, born with the ability to see supernatural shadows that most people can’t, is on the brink of retirement when he receives news of a string of murders apparently committed by the same sadistic killer he failed to catch four years prior. It’s a unique m.o.: the victim’s flayed skin is draped over unsuspecting strangers, who wake with no memory of how they came to be wearing it. Present and past converge when Daniel meets one such stranger, Hannah Lawrence, who shares his paranormal gift, and together they set out to catch the killer. Along the way, a deeper trauma from Daniel’s past rears its head. After a strong start, the pacing wobbles a bit as the plot tangles in the weeds of the characters’ backstories. The leads feel somewhat two-dimensional, but fascinating villains and a rich mythos will keep readers invested. Blending frights, folklore, and an exploration of the lifelong effects of trauma, this will be good fun for horror fans. (June)