Title: So Close the Hand of Death
Author: J.T. Ellison
Publisher: Mira
Publication Date: February 15, 2011
Paperback: 416 pages
ISBN: 978-0778329435
Genre: Fiction, Suspense, Thriller

From the Publisher:

It’s a hideous echo of a violent past. Across America, murders are being committed with all the twisted hallmarks of the Boston Strangler, the Zodiac Killer and Son of Sam. The media frenzy explodes and Nashville homicide lieutenant Taylor Jackson knows instantly that The Pretender is back…and he’s got helpers.

As The Pretender’s disciples perpetrate their sick homages—stretching police and the FBI dangerously thin—Taylor tries desperately to prepare for their inevitable showdown. And she must do it alone. To be close to her is to be in mortal danger, and she won’t risk losing anyone she loves. But the isolation, the self-doubt and the rising body count are taking their toll—she’s beside herself and ready to snap.

The brilliant psychopath who both adores and despises her is drawing close. Close enough to touch…..

My Review:

So Close the Hand of Death by J.T. Ellison is the sixth to feature Taylor Jackson and the first I have read in the series.  While So Close the Hand of Death may be read alone, the author suggests reading 14 prior to this book to better understand the story, however Ellison does provide the reader with sufficient background information to proceed without having read her previous works.  The story takes Nashville homicide detective Taylor Jackson and her fiancé FBI agent, Dr. John Baldwin, on the hunt for the serial killer known as The Pretender who has returned to action and this time he has “disciples” working for him throughout the country.  To further personalise matters, Sergeant Pete Fitzgerald is kidnapped, tortured and left alive only as a warning and to give Jackson the message, “let’s play”. From the very beginning, Ellison draws the reader into the storyline with three brutal murders in Boston, New York, and California and all that occurs within the first twenty pages. With intensity and suspenseful writing, Ellison has crafted a thriller that does not disappoint the reader.    Ellison tells the story through alternating narratives and the reader is kept guessing what will happen next through clues, an excellent cast of characters, and enough twists and turns to delight any suspense thriller fan.  I am looking forward to Ellison’s next book Where All the Dead Lie.  Until the September release date I plan to read the previous five novels, as I do not want to miss another word written by Ellison.  I would highly recommend So Close the Hand of Death to all readers who enjoy psychological thrillers.

To learn more about author J.T. Ellison or her books please visit her website.

I received a complimentary copy of So Close the Hand of Death by J.T. Ellison from Planned TV Arts to offer my honest review of the book. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned book.