Maggie Shayne truly captures the dark heart of villainy. Killing Me Softly is a skillfully woven story of mystery and pure danger, expertly blending a passionate love story into the novel.

Shadow Falls, Vermont is a community terrorized by a serial killer, reminiscent of The Nightcap Strangler, a man who was executed weeks ago. Or was he? When Bryan Kendall’s lover is murdered in his bed, he is immediately suspected, though the scene has all the intricacies of the Nightcap Strangler. Is there a copycat or was the true Nightcap Strangler executed? With the help of his mentor, Nick, the man who brought the Nightcap Strangler to justice, he recognizes the similarities between the murders and they believe it is the work of a copycat. The cops don’t think so; they think Bryan is the killer and won’t rest until he is made to pay for his crimes. When an old flame of Bryan’s returns to help prove his innocence, he is terrified; Dawn Jones bears a strong resemblance to the killer’s other victims.

Dawn Jones returns to Shadow Falls, knowing she is the only one who can save Bryan from being prosecuted for murder. She knows there is a risk to renewing their relationship but she will do all she can to save the man she loves, including going on the lam with him. She has never forgotten the love they shared, though she left him when their love proved too dangerous to them both. Believing he is innocent and that a madman with a grudge is trying to frame him, they focus on the woman found dead in his bed, for she may be the clue to finding the killer.

Killing Me Softly has just the right amounts of mystery, romance and passion. So much more than a love story, Maggie Shayne pens another predator and prey story with real flesh and blood characters that compelled me from the instant I opened the book. With realistic characters and dialogue, I fell under the spell of this dark thriller. I felt such an affinity with Bryan and Dawn and their intense need to prove Bryan’s innocence. I truly felt like a part of the investigation as each clue was uncovered. I recommend Killing Me Softly and eagerly await Shayne’s nest novel; she truly is a master at her craft. ~ Lettetia