"There are demons out there, and they look like people."
A young girl is found, naked and half frozen, on Castlerigg Stone Circle. She's taken to the local hospital but is uncommunicative and unidentified. Then she disappears. DI Kelly Porter can't get the haunted child's face out of her mind, but soon a gruesome murder scene occupies the team at Cumbria Constabulary. As the investigation begins, Porter discovers that the dead woman had links to a local group that seem to be members of a Pagan coven. The detectives soon get a crash course in symbolism and ritual practices, but have no leads or clues as to the murderer when another killing takes place. Kelly is convinced that the person committing these crimes has a plan and that more deaths will occur unless she can stop them. Meanwhile, she's been contacted by her old nemesis, Amy Richmond, AKA "The Teacher, a serial killer who wants to see Kelly hinting that she has some information about the current case. NO SPOILERS.
Wow, was this good! The writing is superb and the characters come to life on the page as they are so well-drawn. As always, the Lake District, is almost like another character in the novel and the description of the area draws the reader in with an appreciative sigh. Kelly has grown stronger, her personal life is improved with Johnny, and she's dealing with her grief appropriately. She loves her life and is even making plans for a sailing trip vacation in Florida. The case is getting to her though and fortunately she has a lot of emotional and professional support. The best, and most interesting, part of this particular story, however, is the inclusion of the Pagan angle. I couldn't help but have Google on standby to give me more information and was fascinated by the detail of the beliefs, practices and rituals. Note -- this is not satanic in case that would be a trigger. I could say more about the killer and the motivations, but won't. Just read it for yourself and enjoy. I've read this series from the beginning and I do believe that the books should be read from the beginning in order to appreciate Kelly's history and to know her better. Crime fiction at its best!
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for this e-book ARC to read and review. I cannot wait for #7.
This is #6 in a series that should be read in order.
Genre - crime fiction, female detective, thriller
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