San Diego, California, Seven Years Ago and the Present

Robin McKenna paid for her education by dancing in a strip club. She never dated the customers as some of the girls did...to their sorrow. Four of the dancers were tortured and killed, one of them Robin's roommate. Robin identified a police sketch of the killer as a man who had watched her dance with a scary intensity and had dated three of the dead women. He was convicted and sentenced to execution largely through Robin's testimony.

Theodore Glenn was born a brilliant sociopath incapable of emotion. He craved the rush of adrenaline, but soon even the most extreme sport failed to give him that rush. Eventually, only watching people suffer and die at his hands could satisfy his hunger. An expert at manipulating others to get his way; women fell for his good looks and faked charm. The one exception was Robin McKenna. Not only did she refuse him -- a man far above a common stripper, he thought -- because of her he's on dearth row for killing her roommate. At least, he was...

Now, seven years later, an earthquake knocks down the walls around San Quentin prison. Several prisoners escape, among them Theodore Glenn, who heads south to San Diego with revenge on his mind. Robin is foremost on his list, but she won't be the first to die -- he'll save the best for last.

Police Detective Will Hooper met Robin during the original investigation; the attraction was mutual, but Will broke her heart. He now heads up the task force to recapture Glen and protect the innocent; Will is sure Glenn will come to San Diego to make good on his threats against everyone involved, especially Robin.

Not only is KILLING FEAR a thriller with a most evil and cunning villain and a second-chance romance between an honorable hero and a strong heroine, it's also a mystery, for doubt grows about whether Glenn is actually guilty of the fourth murder. And if he's not, who is?

Ms. Brennan does an excellent job of keeping the tension high in all areas while telling the story through well-developed primary and secondary characters. KILLING FEAR is connected to Allison Brennan's recent trilogy through Will's partner, Carina Kincaid from SPEAK NO EVIL. The others, SEE NO EVIL and FEAR NO EVIL, also feature Kincaids.

For a gritty, up-all-night police procedural thriller combined with a heartfelt love story, I recommend KILLING FEAR. And watch for SILENT SCREAM in early summer. There are still escaped prisoners on the loose...

Jane Bowers