Kay Hooper: Chill of Fear

I'm having a run of really good reads lately. Kay Hooper's Chill of Fear was another one. It's part of the Bishop Special Crimes Unit (SCU) series of books and the second one in the Fear trilogy. But don't worry if you haven't read the others - it stands comfortably on its own.

The SCU is basically the "Spook Squad" - they investigate things outside the normal realm and all the members are psychic to some degree. I don't know how Kay Hooper does it but she manages to blend suspense, romance and paranormal spookiness so flawlessly it's all absolutely believable.

This one features Quentin Hayes, who is a "seer" and Diana Brisco - no spoilers but Diana's ability is definitely a disturbing one. Totally recommended, especially if you like solid suspense mixed with a little bit of the paranormal.

Here's the backcover blurb:

FBI agent Quentin Hayes always knew he had an unusual talent, even before he was recruited by Noah Bishop for the controversial Special Crimes Unit. But, as gifted as he is, for twenty years he's been haunted by a heartbreaking unsolved murder that took place at The Lodge, a secluded Victorian-era resort in Tennessee. Now he's returned one final time, determined to put the mystery to rest.

Diana Brisco has come there hoping to unlock the mystery of her troubled past. Instead, she is assailed by nightmares and the vision of a child who vanished from The Lodge years ago. And an FBI agent is trying to convince her that she isn't crazy but that she has a rare gift, a gift that could catch a killer.

Quentin knows that this is his last chance to solve a case that has become a dangerous obsession. But can he persuade Diana to help him, knowing what it could cost her? For something cold and dark and pure evil is stalking the grounds of The Lodge. Something Diana may not survive. Something Quentin never felt before: the chill of fear.