Edge of Black by J.T. Ellison

about book:  

THE PATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS MAN IS BESET ON ALL SIDES

After the devastating loss of her husband and children, Dr. Samantha Owens is starting over:  new city, new job, new man, new life.  Before she's even unpacked her office at Georgetown University's forensic pathology department, she's called to consult on a case that's rocked the capital and the country.  An unknown pathogen released into the Washington Metro has caused a nationwide panic.  Three people died - just three.  A miracle and a puzzle...

Amid the media frenzy and Homeland Security alarm bells, Sam painstakingly dissects the lives of those three victims and makes an unsettling conclusion.  This is no textbook terrorist but an assassin whose motive is deeply personal and far from understandable.

Xander Whitfield, a former army ranger and Sam's new boyfriend, knows about doing the wrong thing for the right reasons.  And it's his disturbing kinship with a killer that can lead Sam to the truth...and once more into the line of fire.

my thoughts:  

Wow! Talk about an action-packed read.  Edge of Black is chock full of drama, suspense and thrills.  You will be on the edge of your seat when you read this - or in my case, the edge of my bed. Cripes, did this book twist and turn and have me flipping pages faster than you can say 'J. T. Ellison'.  Now, I know I keep saying I'm not a huge fan of crime thrillers, but it seems like I actually am.  I really enjoyed diving into this novel by Ellison. I thought the writing was great, the characters were memorable, and the action was tense and suspenseful - basically it had all the elements for an unputdownable read.

Samantha Owens is starting her life over in DC - she's got a new home, a new guy, and a new job.  She's left her life in Nashville behind and is hoping for good things to finally go her way.  Of course, sometimes life's got to throw a wrench in your plans to remind you just how much control you actually have in your life.  For Sam, her wrench comes in the form of a terrorist attack.    She goes from teaching a morning class about CSI methodology to making phone calls to old friends to find out what has just happened in her new hometown.  Soon enough she is back to investigating crime scenes and helping piece together what happened during the terrorist attack and who is behind it.  As Samantha works hard on the case, it comes to light that the answers may be closer than she realizes.  Talk about crazy twists!  I don't want to say what happens in the story, but will let you know that the suspense and build up in the story are sooo good! You will not be disappointed!  In fact, I'm pretty sure you'll be eager to read more of J.T. Ellison's work.

Thanks to Arwen Ham for providing me with a copy of this book!