Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Good book that hooked me from the beginning and kept me engaged to the end. Gabriel just transferred to Aurora from LA. He previously worked on the Moonlight Killer case until his wife became one of the victims. After trying to drown his grief, he pulled himself together, determined to find the man responsible. After months of inactivity, Gabriel is convinced that the killer has relocated to Aurora, "the safest town in the state," and it's only a matter of time before he strikes again.
Shayla is the youngest of the Cavanaugh-O'Bannon branch of the family and a brand new addition to the detective branch of the Aurora PD. She is well-known in her family for her upbeat personality and tenacity. The first thing she notices about Gabriel is the sadness in his eyes, and she feels compelled to try to help him. She asks the Chief of Detectives to partner her with Gabriel.
I enjoyed seeing Gabriel and Shayla together. Gabriel is a loner, consumed by his need to bring the Moonlight Killer to justice and guilt over his wife's death. The last thing he wants is a partner, especially one always so cheerful! Every time he tried to shut her down, she simply changed directions and kept up the positive outlook. I liked watching Shayla wear him down on everything from eating to taking a break and getting some rest. She also knew the importance of their investigation and was with him when work needed to be done. Neither one expected the attraction that flared up between them. Gabriel was stunned to discover that he could have feelings for someone else. I liked that there was no "insta-love" between him and Shayla, just an acknowledgment that they wanted to see where their relationship would go.
The suspense was excellent. The killer struck again almost as soon as Gabriel arrived in Aurora. His frustration over the lack of clues was evident as he and Shayla looked at current and past cases. Then one piece of evidence opened the door to a new line of investigation. I was surprised that Gabriel didn't make one significant connection, but I chalked it up to his mind being on another part of their questioning. Shayla caught it, though; she and Gabriel were convinced they had the right guy. The final confrontation was a nail-biter but had a great resolution. I was incredibly proud of Gabriel and his self-control.
One of the things I always enjoy about the Cavanaugh books is the closeness of the family. Their love for each other is evident in the teasing and support they provide. With so many Cavanaughs scattered throughout the APD, it is always fun to see a partner's reaction when a Cavanaugh picks up the phone and calls this cousin or that sibling for a quick answer to a question. Gabriel was no different. Also, with Gabriel having no family, he has no concept of what a group such as the Cavanaughs is like. His nervousness as he and Shayla arrived at Andrew's was adorable, and I loved watching him become part of them.
Shayla is the youngest of the Cavanaugh-O'Bannon branch of the family and a brand new addition to the detective branch of the Aurora PD. She is well-known in her family for her upbeat personality and tenacity. The first thing she notices about Gabriel is the sadness in his eyes, and she feels compelled to try to help him. She asks the Chief of Detectives to partner her with Gabriel.
I enjoyed seeing Gabriel and Shayla together. Gabriel is a loner, consumed by his need to bring the Moonlight Killer to justice and guilt over his wife's death. The last thing he wants is a partner, especially one always so cheerful! Every time he tried to shut her down, she simply changed directions and kept up the positive outlook. I liked watching Shayla wear him down on everything from eating to taking a break and getting some rest. She also knew the importance of their investigation and was with him when work needed to be done. Neither one expected the attraction that flared up between them. Gabriel was stunned to discover that he could have feelings for someone else. I liked that there was no "insta-love" between him and Shayla, just an acknowledgment that they wanted to see where their relationship would go.
The suspense was excellent. The killer struck again almost as soon as Gabriel arrived in Aurora. His frustration over the lack of clues was evident as he and Shayla looked at current and past cases. Then one piece of evidence opened the door to a new line of investigation. I was surprised that Gabriel didn't make one significant connection, but I chalked it up to his mind being on another part of their questioning. Shayla caught it, though; she and Gabriel were convinced they had the right guy. The final confrontation was a nail-biter but had a great resolution. I was incredibly proud of Gabriel and his self-control.
One of the things I always enjoy about the Cavanaugh books is the closeness of the family. Their love for each other is evident in the teasing and support they provide. With so many Cavanaughs scattered throughout the APD, it is always fun to see a partner's reaction when a Cavanaugh picks up the phone and calls this cousin or that sibling for a quick answer to a question. Gabriel was no different. Also, with Gabriel having no family, he has no concept of what a group such as the Cavanaughs is like. His nervousness as he and Shayla arrived at Andrew's was adorable, and I loved watching him become part of them.
