Frightful Friday is a weekly meme in which I feature a particularly scary or chilling book that I’ve read that week. Feel free to link up yours as well in the comments below.
Today’s featured book is: Edge of Black by J.T. Ellison:
- Paperback: 368 pages
- Publisher: Harlequin MIRA; Original edition (November 13, 2012)
- ISBN-10: 0778313727
- Source: Publisher
Dr. Samantha Owens is starting her new life over in Washington, D.C. Still healing from the loss of her husband and children she is quite vulnerable to the pain. She has a new job and a new man in her life and she’s looking forward to the change. She’s ready to dive in to her new position in Georgetown University’s forensic pathology department but before she’s able to get settled she’s called in to consult on a truly terrifying case: an unknown pathogen was released in DC’s metro system. For obvious reasons, the city and the country are in a panic. Yet only three victims are claimed when there should be many, many more.
Sam begins to investigate the lives of the three victims, finding connections early on. She soon learns individual to blame for this horrific attack has a pretty detailed focus, set on seeking vengeance that is deeply personal. Alongside her new boyfriend, former army ranger Xander Whitfield, the couple get dangerously close to the allusive killer.
Edge of Black is the second book a new series by Ellison focusing on Dr. Samantha Owens, medical examiner. Fans of Ellison’s Taylor Jackson books will recognize Sam for she played a pretty integral role in this novels as Taylor’s best friend. Like with her many other novels, Ellison excels at creating strong, complex, incredibly multidimensional female lead characters. Sam is dedicated to her new job and finding the culprit behind the attack, but she’s also still still recovering from the loss of her husband and children, lives taken away from her by the hands of a devastating flood in her native Tennessee. This layer to Sam’s character makes her a truly genuine and believable character, readers rooting both for her professionally and personally.
The intensity of this novel begins within the first few pages, building gradually yet steadily. Full of delightful twists and turns, this novel just adds credence to my belief that Ellison is one of the best female thriller authors out there. Highly recommended.
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