Alright, I said in ‘Obsession’s’ review that I can just imagine what awaits me if this book (#1) was anything to go by. I don’t need to imagine anymore. The suspense factor in ‘Impulse’ just went up, not one, but a few notches. For goodness’ sakes, how much more of this can I take? HeHe. I am barely awake in the morning and yet I find myself weaving down the passage, Kindle in hand, ready to have my first cup of coffee and read at least 10 pages. Of course, this totally goes out the window as I end up reading way more than originally planned. Won’t even refer to my nails in this review – there aren’t any left! Yep, forgot the gloves. The build up in ‘Impulse’ was so tense, I thought my neck would snap. To use two words from the author on how I felt, here goes: ‘holy guacamole’! This is 2nd book in the ‘Faces of Evil’ series and it did not disappoint. In fact, it sends you on a rollercoaster ride of note.
‘Impulse’ continues from ‘Obsession’ where Jess, Dan and the BPD had put a pair of mentally disturbed and disgusting parents behind bars, yet the most elusive one and the one Jess is so desperately trying to get her hands on (or around his neck) is still roaming around continuing his despicable evil. You will know after reading ‘Obsession’ that it ended with Detective Lori Wells being kidnapped by Eric Spears aka the Player. She’s adamant that it is Spears. The Bureau seems to think otherwise and trouble is waiting just around the corner. It seems that her home office wall was plastered with photos of Spears and in some cases, her face cut and pasted next to his along with a personal message, ‘Why did you leave me Jess’? Supervisory Special Agent Ralph Gant, her boss from Quantico, whom Jess thought she knew pretty well, as they’ve worked together for about 10 years, is somehow convinced that there is more to Jess’ involvement with Spears than she’s letting on. To further enrage her, the anonymous emails she received from the perp, were found to be sent from her home. Jess is past angry and horrified that the very people she’s worked so hard for, seem to be on Spears’ side. The inevitable investigation into her ‘state of mind’ is a given. Gant suggested she’d had a meltdown and threatened to take her into custody if she continued to be involved with the BPD investigation.
Dan has no choice but take Jess off the case - at least for appearances sakes, no need to jeopardise everyone’s career. She will still be informed of everything and anything that concerns Spears/Player. Rumours relating to their relationship are rife with insinuations that the reason she got the job as Chief is due to the fact that there’s still something going on between them and making it worse is that Dan has moved her into his house for her protection, even though she warned him against this. What else can go wrong? Because of her, Detective Wells, realtor Belinda Howard and an FBI agent have been kidnapped consecutively with horrific consequences. Spears/Player is so manically twisted that when I read these particular scenes, I felt sick. The one involving Jess, Dan and Lori Wells is so suspenseful; I clearly saw it playing out in my head.
Without saying too much, you have no choice but to be dragged along for this ride wanting Spears/Player to be caught and wishing you could be there to hand him your own punishment. I will say though that Jess starts having doubts as to whether this is really Spears/Player. What they’ve observed from evidence collected from his victims is that it’s sloppy work with one of these victims being left alive. Nobody ever makes it out alive and Spears is anything but sloppy. Could Jess have been that wrong in her assessment of Spears? Could someone else be involved? She needs to be in top form and play his game, only better, as her family, Dan, in fact anyone around her, is in imminent danger. She can’t afford to doubt herself, but, is it or isn’t it him? I don’t know. Well, I do actually, but I’m not telling. :D GAME ON.
Jess and Dan’s relationship, as mentioned previously, continues forward but is by no means resolved. What I like about this series so far is not only the way it’s so well written, gripping, suspenseful, nail biting and thrilling, it’s that issues will ultimately be resolved whether they re-connect on that particular level or just remain friends is yet to be seen, but it will be (I believe) spread over time throughout the series and not within one night.
Phew, my nerves are shattered! Even so, I am so looking forward to the third book in this series, called ‘Power’ due out in February. To follow will be ‘Rage’ in May and ‘Revenge’ in June. Meanwhile, I’ll be sure to keep looking over my shoulder ;)
Quote
“Jessie Lee Harris was here to stay and she would stop this evil.”