Luisa Buehler, The Scout Master

The Scout Master

Luisa Buehler

Echelon, Sept 2006, $14.99, 384 pp.

ISBN 1590804759

Grace Marsden's life begins to spin out of control the day two scouts found a crate in the Robinson Woods containing the bones of a cat and items belonging to it. The FBI becomes involved because the crate stored ammunitions stolen during World War II and an FBI agent was killed while investigating. Taking two Scouts into woods on a lark they hear chanting and Grace can't find her keys so they are stranded.

A friend picks the boys up and promises to return for Grace but before he can, robed monk-like figures try to abduct her from the car but she escapes until her ride picks her up. She later learns that in the last two years five women were raped and scalped in the area. They believe besides the scouts in the woods, there are a Wiccan coven and a satanic cult. Attacks on Grace's life begin and though there are many suspect including a scoutmaster, police and FBI operatives, nobody is sure who the culprits really are. When Grace asks the FBI agents to use her as bait to stake out the villains so her nightmare can end, they create a sting that goes badly. The agent is kidnapped and Grace is almost killed trying to rescue her. Unless the perpetrator is found soon, Grace will become another statistic.

This is an exciting fast paced thriller that readers will thoroughly enjoy. Although readers will find it hard to see how all the subplots tie into the main storyline, the audience will root for the heroine to survive the many attempts on her life and hope she gets to kick butt. She is a warm and caring character who is a true heroine because she persevers in spite of her fears.

Harriet Klausner