The Ritual Bath by Faye Kellerman

Who doesn’t like a mysterious crime?  Especially one filled with intrigue, suspense and served up with a little romance on the side.  That is what “The Ritual Bath” by Faye Kellerman has to offer.  This is the first book of the Decker/Lazarus series. The story takes place in a yeshiva community in the California hills in Los Angeles. The people of this small, remote community keep to themselves; however their peace is disturbed by a violent rape. Detective Decker is sent to solve this case. While doing so, he meets Rina Lazarus, the witness and a religious widow with two small boys.  Soon after, Decker is called up to the same location for a murder.  The witness again is Ms. Lazarus.  Soon, both Decker and Rina find themselves in a precarious relationship, as Rina’s religion prohibits her from involvement with Decker.

Faye Kellerman is a prolific author, well-known for her crime novels. This series alone has nineteen dealing with Detective Decker and his cases, while telling his further involvement with Rina and her sons. This is the first of Kellerman’s books that I read.  She obviously did her share of researching, which I admired greatly.  I found her type of writing easy to read, and the book hard to put down.  I enjoyed the story line and look forward to continuing with the series.

Next Review..."The Ritual Bath" by Faye Kellerman

Watch for our next full review on "The Ritual Bath" by Faye Kellerman.  Also, a special synopsis by Amy Shojai.

"Impulse" by Debra Webb

“His singular motive is pleasure. The only way he can feel it is by torturing his victims in the most depraved ways” (Webb). This is the profile of Eric Spears a.k.a. ‘The Player’, a serial killer and Jess’ personal stalker. Spears was introduced to us in the first book of “Faces of Evil” series by Debra Webb.  “Impulse”, the second book, takes off where the first book of the series ends. It tells the continuing the story of Jess Harris, who is hesitantly going on to the next part of her life, after leaving everything for which she had worked so hard. She was working as a profiler for the FBI, but her rogue ways led her to quit before she was dismissed. Before she knew it she had accepted the position of Birmingham’s Deputy Chief of Special Problems Unit.

“Obsession”, the series’ first book, ended with Spears kidnapping Detective Lori Wells to get Jess’ attention. In the second novel, Jess and her new unit, rush to save Detective Wells from certain death. Meanwhile, Jess and Police Chief Dan Burnett work on their personal lives together, as they work to close the case. But The Player has some tricks up his sleeve, as he tries to get them to play a dangerous game. “A grin spread across his lips.  ‘Ah… So you’re ready to play, are you?’” (Webb)

Ms. Webb writes a very tight, fast paced story which grabs the reader’s imagination from the very beginning. I enjoyed this book even more than the first, and, needless to say, I am addicted to this series.

Watch for the second book of the Faces of Evil series, "Impulse" by Debra Webb.

"Obsession" by Debra Webb

“Obsession” is a perfect title for Debra Webb’s first book in the Faces of Evil series. This fast-paced book introduces Special Agent Jess Harris, a profiler for the FBI, just when she is at the lowest point of her life. Her marriage is on the rocks and her job is not far behind. Because of her mismanagement of one of the biggest cases that she has ever been on, a serial killer is set free.

A broken Jess is called back to her hometown by an old flame, Police Chief Burnett, to help solve a kidnapping case. Five young women were taken, including the Police Chief’s stepdaughter. While following leads which Ms. Webb uses to take the reader on a breathless journey to the end of this case, Jess is contacted by the now free serial killer, Spears.

Although I gave the book four stars, I really like Ms. Webb’s style of writing. I related to the character of Jess, and liked the Police Chief, as well. I’m hoping to find out more about the other characters as I read this series.  It is a fast read and the cliff hanger ending led me to crack the spine of book two, Impulse, immediately. 

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Obsession Review Coming

I just finished "Obsession" by Debra Webb last night.  The write-up is upcoming.  I had to go to the next book of this series, as I was intrigued by the cliff-hanging ending.  I will install my dictating program and write the review soon.