Review: Fade to Black by Leslie Parrish
A group of elite FBI special agents has been brought together to form the Cyber Action Team, aka CAT - and they have one mission: to solve Internet-related murders.
From his years in the FBI's violent crimes unit, Special Agent Dean Taggert has learned firsthand how vicious people can be. But this is the worst he's ever seen. Eight victims have been murdered, their final moments captured on film and shown on a secret Web site called Satan's Playground. And a madman who refers to himself as the Reaper is auctioning off their means of death.
When the investigation leads Dean to the small town of Hope Valley, he enlists the help of sexy and capable Sheriff Stacey Rhodes, who's dealing with secrets of her own. It's too late to save the latest victim, but Dean and Stacey still have to work fast, because the Reaper's next auction is about to begin... (by goodreads.com)
Review:
I will warn you before I start to review this book: I’m not a passionate suspense reader. In my whole life I read not more than 5 or 6 books in this genre. I never could really connect with this books so I stopped reading them. So why did I buy this one? I read so many wonderful reviews about this series that there was no other possibility as to read this books. And I’m really happy I did it.
The series is all about the Black Cats, a new subdivision of the FBI. They try to solve Internet crimes but the rest of the FBI is not very happy to have this new division. The head of the Black CATs had his difficulties with some people in the bureau and so no-one wants to support them. The CATs are a really mixed bunch of people- a few computer nerds work together with hard assed agents who seem to eat nails for breakfast.
This book focuses on the suspense plot and the romance takes a seat behind it. The story is fast paced and gripping. Mrs. Parrish created a great combination of the cold fact side of the investigation and the hands on bloody side. Some scenes are really hard to digest but I’m a real horror movie junkie so I had really no problem with that. The case itself was very intriguing and from the start I wanted to get this guy. It’s a real page-turner and I didn’t know who the bad guy is till nearly the end(I guessed right two pages before it was revealed- I’m not sure if that counts).
As said the romance is not the front role here but the relationship between Dean and Stacey is wonderful developed. I really liked that the whole thing started slow. Would have been strange to see them chasing a crazy and disgusting murderer and hopping in the sack after the first meeting.
Dean is a real hard ass agent but he shows his sweet side when he is near our little Sherriff. He’s caring and a oh so sweet father. He’s really good at his job and knows what he does.
Stacey is a really strong character and I liked her right from the start. She stands her (wo)man in her job and doesn’t back down from problems. She knows how to handle people, the good and the bad and runs her town with real determination.
I would have liked a little more romance in the story but I really enjoyed the book and will definitely read the next book ASAP.
To learn more about Leslie Parrish and her books please visit her website here.
The Black CATs series:
1. Fade to Black: other reviews @goodreads, buy @amazon
2.Pitch Black: reviews @goodreads, buy @amazon
3. Black at Heart: reviews @goodreads, buy @amazon
