Before world-renowned forensic sculptor Eve Duncan and her companion Joe Quinn, formerly of the FBI and now on the Atlanta police force, have time to recover from the traumatic events surrounding a mass child murderer (Quicksand, 2008), another killer enters their lives. Eve and Joe have been together ever since her beloved child, Bonnie, was murdered, and clues to the case are dwindling. Joe is called in to investigate the murder of Nancy Jo Norris, a college student and senator's daughter. The victim's blood has been drained and a ceremonial goblet placed in her hands, a modus operandi that points to the serial killer Kevin Jelak, whom Eve suspects may have been her daughter's killer. When a goblet of blood appears in Eve's refrigerator, she knows that Jelak is after her. Indeed, the murderer believes that the blood of the slain will transform him into an all-powerful being, and he is saving Eve for his final infusion. Johansen is becoming a master of the macabre and paranormal thriller, and her latest riveting Eve Duncan tale has it all, from ghosts and secret cults to supernatural avengers.--Engelmann, Patty Copyright 2009 Booklist

Bestseller Johansen's latest Eve Duncan forensics thriller features an all-too-mortal vampire. Fresh off a multiple child homicide case (Quicksand), Eve discovers a blood-stained goblet in her refrigerator. The goblet closely resembles one found with the bloodless body of Nancy Jo Norris, a U.S. senator's 19-year-old daughter, the victim of a wannabe Dracula who ultimately thirsts for Eve. In a paranormal twist, Joe Quinn, Eve's FBI love interest, appears to have contracted psychic powers from Megan Blair, introduced in Pandora's Daughter, and can now see dead people-Nancy Jo and Eve's daughter, Bonnie, to be exact. The ghosts guide the search for the serial sucker, complete with corny gothic monologues. Johansen risks alienating some readers as the series slips deeper into the supernatural, but diehards will be pleased Eve at last finds some peace in her ever-growing bond with Joe. 500,000 first printing. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved