Blood Sins - Kay Hooper

Young, vulnerable, attractive, Tessa Gray made the perfect victim. Which was why Noah Bishop of the FBI's Special Crimes Unit recruited her to play the role of grieving widow. As the supposed new owner of property coveted by the Church of the Everlasting Sin, she'd be irresistible bait for the reclusive and charismatic Reverend Samuel. His fortified compound in the mountains near Grace, North Carolina, had been the last known residence of two women murdered in ways that defied scientific explanation. Though hardly as naive or as vulnerable as she appears, Tessa knows she has a lot to learn about using her unique gift. She also knows that Bishop and the SCU have to be desperate to rely on an untried psychic agent in an undercover operation so dangerous. And desperate they are. For the killer they're hunting is the most terrifying they've ever faced and shakes even the most seasoned agents: a soulless megalomaniacal cult leader who can use their own weapons, talents, and tactics against them. By entering the cult's well-guarded compound, Tessa will be exposing herself to the dark magnetism of a psychopath on an apocalyptic crusade of terror that spares no one, not even the youngest victims. And Samuel has protected himself within a fanatically loyal congregation, many of whom occupy surprising positions of power within the community. Even Grace's chief of police, Sawyer Cavenaugh a a man Tessa will have to trust with her life a may be unable to protect her. Because no one, not even Tessa herself, can guarantee she's strong enough to resist a or powerful enough to battle a a killer who's less than human.

I really enjoy this Bishop series. The book I have enjoyed the less are those with a higher lever of ghost and paranormal activities and with little romance. So, this story, shouldn't really have been a favourite for me. But I have to admit that I read it almost in one sitting and couldn't wait to reach the end.

This is single handedly the investigation into a religious organisation and it's preacher - a psychic who keeps his flock under strict control and can actually kill without touch. Hooper keeps us on the edge if our seat following the activities of the FBI agents and those within the flock who fight against the preacher and are exposed to great danger. There is a sense of urgency in most of the plot that I enjoyed. 

The action is fast and goes so smoothly that I really didn't notice the lack of the romantic aspect. One can guess that two of the main characters will eventually be a couple but nothing happened in this story. I do have a few complaints however namely that Bishop doesn't appear as much as usual and that there is a sub plot about someone who is trying to discredit him that isn't closed in the final chapter. The ending also felt a bit rushed.

The story is connected to the previous book in the series as the preacher here is the mastermind behind the killer they caught in that book and one guesses that it is strongly connected with the next book as I'm sure we won't be left in the dark long about who wants to harm Bishop and his unit.

Grade: 4/5