Lisa Jackson, Chosen To Die

In the Bitterroot Mountains of Montana, the "Star-Crossed Killer" abducts women, heals them from their injuries, and photographs them before and after leaving them to die in the maze of the bleak isolated woods from the cold. Police Detective Regan Pescoli has worked the case for months, but has not gotten very far in ending the psychopath's reign of terror.

Nate Santana, who is attracted to Regan, is worried about her as she is suddenly missing while obsessing over capturing that maniac serial killer who haunts the area. He persuades her partner Detective Selena Alvarez Regan could be in deep trouble. They methodically try to track her down unaware that Regan plans to escape the killer's maze and come after him next.

Fans of Lisa Jackson's suspense thrillers will enjoy the return of Detective Regan Pescoli (see LEFT TO DIE) who is caught by the serial killer she hunts. The story line starts extremely slow especially for a Ms Jackson novel as the background is set up instead of the cop in peril. Once Regan is caught in the Star Crossed killer's maze, the tale accelerates into a fast-paced thriller as the beleaguered heroine battles the elements and a cold predator. Although the reader is never privy to her deepest inner fears, fans will enjoy tough Regan trying to survive.

Harriet Klausner