Casee‘s review of Fade to Black (Black CAT series, Book 1) by Leslie Parrish.
After transferring out of violent crimes and onto the FBI’s Cyber Action Team, Special Agent Dean Taggert is shocked to encounter a case far more vicious than any he’s ever seen. A cold and calculating predator dubbed “The Reaper” is auctioning off murder in the cyber world and is about to kill again—unless Dean and beautiful sheriff Stacey Rhodes can stop him.
I’ve had this series for months, but just started it two weeks ago. I don’t know what my problem was, b/c this was one of the best RS series I’ve read this year.
In Fade to Black, Leslie Parrish has created a world of cyber crime and the people that stop them. Reading this book really wanted me to take my IT expertise (as little as it may be) and join the FBI. I could use a computer and carry a gun. Heh.
The Cyber Action Team, or Black CAT as they are not-so-lovingly referred to have more to prove than other FBI divisions. Their leader, Wyatt Blackstone blew his reputation when he exposed corruption pretty high up the food chain ladder. Given a division that was expected to fail, Wyatt is now leads the Black CAT’s. Dean Taggert left the Violent Crime Division to get into something that would be less violent. His ex-wife uses his job as an excuse to keep him from having custody of his son. The last thing Dean expects in this job was to confront a cyber serial killer. Yet that’s exactly what he has to do.
Stacey Rhodes left her position at the Virginia State Police after the massacre at Virginia Tech. Returning to Hope Valley is something that she never thought she would do, no less do willingly. Yet that’s exactly what she’s done. When Special Agent Tagger shows up at her door showing her that a serial killer might have been through her town, she is floored.
Fade to Black is marketed as a romantic suspense, yet the romance factor was most definitely low. In this case, Leslie Parrish did a fantastic job b/c even with the romance lacking, it didn’t make me like the book less.
I also really enjoyed reading about the camaraderie between the people on the Black CAT team. They are such a mish-mash of people, yet it all works somehow. The suspense in this story was spectacular. From the moment you read the Prologue, you should be hooked. The killer was chilling, as were his crimes. It will make you shudder as you read it while keeping you on the edge of your seat.
4 out of 5.
This book is available from Signet. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
Other books in the series:
I just got this yesterday! I have only heard great things about it!
It’s sooo good, isn’t it?
It is soooo good! The 3rd book is my favorite.