Anne Waverly, university lecturer and sometime FBI consultant, lives with the curse of a tragic past—the horrific deaths of her husband and beloved daughter Abby in a mass suicide pact. No one knows what she has suffered better than Glen McCarthy, an FBI expert in cult behavior. As a professor of new religious movements, Anne is called on by McCarthy over the years to help solve certain FBI cases and Anne, in an attempt to atone for the long-ago tragedy, has never refused him. Until now. But Anne finds she can't say no to this particular case: a religious community out in the desert that looks as though it has the seeds of dangerous fervor. Slowly Anne works her way into the life of the community, and there meets two children, one of whom reminds her strongly of Abby, and suddenly she finds herself involved at a level that could be fatal… ___________________
The success of the novel comes from its slow revelation of the back story, which illuminates the major players: Anne Waverly, Glen McCarthy, and the people of Change. King brilliantly portrays the psychological split that drives Anne to self-destruction, both in her sexual relationships and in her self-effacing work for the FBI. Though a respected university professor and expert on cults, Anne Waverly was once a cultist herself. For 18 years she has struggled with personal tragedies that wrenched her from that experience, and she has dedicated herself (through academic labor and her covert work for the FBI) to saving the lives of others who become embroiled in religious fanaticism. Now, despite a vow that she has ended her relationship with the FBI and its work in defusing cults, she returns for one last effort at the request of Agent McCarthy. Anne cuts her hair, changes her name, and gradually loses herself in her new role as a member of Change. But her investigation soon becomes a journey into her own psyche, into the dark places of her past, as she sees her own life played out again in the members of the cult. Views: 65
The New York Times bestselling Cupcake Bakery Mysteries bake up sweet surprises, but as the series continues, Mel and Angie are in for a fresh batch of trouble... Scottsdale, Arizona, may not be the liveliest place on earth, but it's never been as dead as this. Hundreds of fans have gathered together for the first annual Old Town Zombie Walk, and Mel, Angie, and the Fairy Tale Cupcake crew are donning their best undead attire to sell some horror-themed desserts to the hungry hordes. But the fun turns to fright when Mel finds a real dead body in a prop casket outside of the bakery's truck—and the corpse looks alarmingly like a zombie of their own. Knowing that Joe, Angie's brother and Mel's former flame, has been working on a dangerous mob case, Mel worries that the murder is a hit gone wrong and that someone near and dear was the real target. To keep any of her friends from winding up six feet under, Mel will do whatever it takes to find a... Views: 65
The Byzantine Fire: 90 carats of flawless ruby with great national and religious significance. It's the biggest heist of Dortmunder's career, making him the target of everyone from the FBI to the Turkish government. Now Dortmunder has to find a way to unsteal the heist of a lifetime… Views: 65
Do you believe in love after life?Looking for a fresh start, Peyton Clark becomes the proud owner of a piece of New Orleans history: an Antebellum-era two-story house in the Garden District. It's going to take time and a fat wallet to restore the fixer-upper to its former glory, but after her recent divorce, Peyton could use the distraction.It's not long before Peyton discovers she's moved into the haunted home of a flirtatious paranormal prankster. She's receiving kisses from unseen lips and caresses from a ghostly hand, and soon she begins to have vivid dreams, bringing her face-to-face with the incomparably handsome ghost of Drake Montague.When Peyton grows closer to her general contractor, Ryan Kelly - who is as charming as he is alive - the chill in the air could only suggest Drake's jealousy from beyond the grave. But even though she's definitely attracted to and interested in Ryan, Peyton also can't get Drake out of her dreams, or her heart, as she begins to uncover the frightening truth behind his death a century ago... Views: 65
A terrified teenager chased by a homicidal maniac...uncut diamonds from a jewelry heist...Miz Scarlet has her hands full trying to keep Jenny Mulroney out of more trouble. The teenager is less than honest, holding back critical details of the crimes she witnessed on the Jersey Shore. Stashed away in the Four Acorns Inn in CT, Miz Scarlet and boyfriend Kenny must solve the mystery to save Jenny. Views: 65
Stan Green is a New York City Homicide Detective who has seen better days.As his family life threatens to disintegrate and his work partner disappears, he is assigned to the most shocking case of his career-a strange and remarkably violent murder. Stan must look into the crime alone. He finds just one witness, a neurologically disabled recluse who sees through the souls of others as demonic hallucinations. As more murders occur, and he drifts further from his family and friends, Stan's suspicion and rage escalate. Soon he realizes that the deaths fall into the pattern of a serial killer—and starts to believe that his witness is not at all insane, but terrifyingly perceptive . . . Views: 65
MAN OF ACTION Aidan Campbell instinctively flew into the fray when the authorities rallied the troops to catch a gang of escaped convicts. Yet, as the adventurous bounty hunter scoured the storm-swept terrain with his teammates, he unexpectedly found himself rescuing a blond beauty dangling precariously from a cliff. His protective nature kicked into high gear when Kaitlyn Wilson's fragmented memories recalled a grisly crime carried out by the very militia members he hunted. After Aidan spirited the fiercely independent investigative reporter away to a safe house, it seemed pointless to battle their potent attraction in the passionate afterglow. But when Kaitlyn's nose for the news lured her to trouble, could a heroic, high-speed helicopter chase prevent a full-scale catastrophe? Views: 65