A serial killer is kidnapping people and killing them after he gets the money. And they die in fear because the guy likes anticipatory deaths--buried alive, programmed guillotine, fun things like that. Milking the fear for all it's worth. And he's doing it to target Lucas Jordan, a Special Crimes unit member who looks for missing people by picking up on how afraid they are.
Samantha Burke, an ex of Lucas's, works as a carnival psychic and has picked up information on the killings. The local sheriff isn't too thrilled and suspects her, even though it's pretty clear that she didn't do it. Sam, Lucas, his partner, and the police force have to come together when one of their own is taken, and the latest victim's sister is drawn into the case. The killer is far ahead of everyone else's thinking, and there's machinations going on both sides.
This is a gripping mystery. My only quibble is that the hero is so emotionally shut down (though that's the point of his character) that it's hard to care about him. He has about three character traits--being psychic, shut down, and determined to find missing people. Everyone else is so well drawn and distinct that it stood out to me that Lucas didn't come out as well.
But, otherwise good. Three and 3/4 stars.
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