Lt. Sarah Armstrong balances the challenges of being the Texas Rangers' lone criminal profiler and a single mom in the riveting fiction debut from true-crime journalist Casey (A Descent into Hell
). A recent widow with a young daughter, Sarah deals with her loss by vigorously investigating the ritualistic murder of a wealthy Houston businessman, Edward Travis Lucas III, and his mistress, lawyer Annmarie Knowles, at his Galveston beach house. Galveston PD, the rangers and FBI unite their efforts, but turf battles erupt as they differ on whodunit. Sarah and FBI profiler David Garrity don't believe the local police's prime suspect—Lucas's unhappy wife, Priscilla—was the culprit. A serial killer appears more likely, and they soon uncover similar Texas murders. Casey's solid research, smooth plotting and sensitive depiction of Sarah's relationship with her grieving daughter lift what could've been standard serial-killer fare into poignant, exciting family drama. (July)
