P.D. Martin, Body Count

Body Count

P.D. Martin

Mira, January 2007, $24.95

ISBN: 0778324117

Two murders with the same MO in Washington DC leads the FBI to believe a serial killer is emerging. Agent Sam Wright leads the investigation as the third victim is found. However, this time the crime scene contains a personalized clue from the culprit, who mockingly challenges Sam to do her best; apparently the perp knows a lot about Sam, but leaves behind nothing further to help her uncover the identity of the murderer.

Australian Sophie Anderson came to the States to join the FBI Behavioral Science Unit as a profiler. She quickly proves to be one of the best, but hides the real reason she is so good at describing perps; Sophie has psychic skills that come in the form of disconcerting often ugly nightmares. She is assisting her best friend Samantha on the case. However, Sophie begins to withdraw, as her night visions turn even uglier when she assumes the role of the victims as they are being killed, but even worse, at times she becomes the acerbic killer feeling the euphoria and ugliness from inside him. When Sam is abducted, Sophie knows she must use her talent to avoid what happened to her brother when she was a child; her only help comes from Agent Josh Marco, who she finds attractive.

This is a superb police procedural thriller, with a paranormal twist to provide freshness to the overly used taunting serial killer cat and mouse contest. The storyline is filled with action and tension, and it contains a psychological spin atypical of the sub-genre; as this slant focuses on Sophie's struggle not to go over the deep end due to the assaults on her senses. Though more use of the paranormal skill (in your face hint for future Sophie suspense sagas) would have been welcome, P.D. Martin provides an excellent thriller that has the audience on the edge of their seats with what happens next.