Obsession
4 Stars

FBI Profiler Jess Harris is at a crossroads in her life. On the verge of losing her job and her marriage, Jess returns home to Birmingham, Alabama when an old beau, Dan Burnett, request her assistance on a case involving the disappearance of several young women. As Jess immerses herself in the case, a menacing specter from her past raises its ugly head and places those she cares about in serious danger...

A well-crafted if predictable plot with several similarities to Alex Kava’s A Perfect Evil including a female FBI profiler who has a past with a serial killer and a relationship with the chief of police. That said, the investigative aspects of the case have an authentic feel, the motivation behind the crime is original albeit rather disturbing, and the climax and resolution are exciting.

The characters are also very well developed. Jess is a strong and intelligent heroine, but it is difficult to truly empathize with her given that she often comes across as arrogant and dismissive. She is also in dire need of some sensitivity training. Dan gives the impression of being something of a ladies man although it is rather obvious that the women in his life are surrogates for the one who got away. While there is real potential in their slowly simmering second chances romance, it is the relationship between Lori and Chet that really grabs the reader.

While the primary storyline is resolved by the end, the book does end on a cliffhanger of sorts (I will be seriously annoyed if

Spoiler

Lori dies

) and I am eager to continue with the series.