Fear the Dark

Rating:
Summary: A Slithering Good Read!
Review: There's a killer on the loose with his weapons and accomplices rolled all into one slithering, rattling package. Only Cara Banks, an evidence technician for the police department, suspects that the death is not as accidental as it has been ruled. She has to convince her ex-husband, Detective Jack Carter that she's right before she becomes his next victim.

Patricia Rasey has crafted an expert tale of seduction and terror within these few chapters, leading the reader off in different directions at every turn and making us wonder if our instincts are correct or if we're off on our own wild snake chase.

It's obvious that Rasey has done her research for this story with her spare-no- gory-details descriptions of the damage inflicted on the victims by the snake venom. As a snake lover, I was a little concerned that this story was going to give the oft-maligned exotherms an even worse reputation than they already have. Thankfully, Rasey seems to have gone out of her way to point out that the snakes are just more innocent victims of a madman's cruelty.

The book rushes along at breakneck speed, hitting its only bump at the end when the killer's identity is revealed. There is a slight amount of ambiguity involving the assumed name of the culprit that was never completely explained and the ending seemed just a bit rushed. However, it doesn't detract from the overall excellence of the book and I would not hesitate to read this tale again.

The additional short story, In the Mind of Darkness that is included at the end is nothing short of breathtaking. I found myself dabbing my eyes as I finished it and wanting more at the same time! Do yourself a favor this weekend and read Fear the Dark!

Rating:
Summary: After this one, you WILL fear the dark!
Review: Detective Jack Carter had divorced Cara Banks two years ago. Cara was an Evidence Tech for the police force, so he knew that he would be running into her from time to time. But they had managed to avoid each other, except for a nod of greeting as the passed each other in the hall. That changed when the first woman was found dead in her closet. She had died from multiple rattle snake bites. The two had to work together if there was a chance of finding the killer.

With a second body came a link. Both women were members of an elite singles' club named Manny's. Cara must go undercover to find the killer. Problem was that the killer knew who they were and was not yet ready to be found.

**** A wonderful detective thriller with just a touch of romance. I was engrossed from the first page! This one will put chills down your spine! ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch.