Stealing Shadows (Shadows Trilogy)

The was my second Kay Hooper novel and it was one of my favorite novels that I have ever read. I found it incredibly interesting that the whole book revolved around the "psychic" way of solving crimes. That was so cool! Not many authors have their protaganists, such as Cassie Neill, someone who can predict murders before they even happen. My eyes were transfixed to the pages the whole time. I can not wait until HIDING IN THE SHADOWS comes out on October 3 and for OUT OF THE SHADOWS coming out on October 31. Both of these novels include FBI Agent Noah Bishop from Stealing Shadows. Kay Hooper has definitely made it to my favorite author list!

I curled up in my easy chair, turned on the Olympics and then picked up Stealing Shadows...thinking I would read during the commercials. WELL...guess what? I watched the Olympics only when I got scared and had to take a breather from the book. I loved this one. Never having been a believer in psychic abilities (I've never called up the Psychic Hotline), this book almost made a believer out of me. Have already ordered the next one, Hiding in the Shadows.

Cassie Neill is a pitiful, precious, fragile, haunted young woman trying to escape her "abilities" and the terror and heartache that accompany them. She moves to a quiet little town and is immediately plunged into the middle of a serial killer's escapades. She wants to help catch him, so she works with the sheriff who thinks she's nuts...and on and on it goes. Of course, she proves everyone wrong about her abilities.

Trust me, you will love this. To say anymore about the plot would give it away. Needless to say I don't know who won springboard diving and don't care!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Ms. Hooper didn't just jump from writing romance to writing suspense, she's leapt, soared, and landed solidly on both feet. What a wonderful book! I highly recommend it to all readers who enjoy stories about credible people who act logically and with compassion. The protagonist's gift is handled with sensitivity and authority. Bravo, Ms. Hooper! And thank you for a great read.

Kay Hooper has always been an excellent author, but she has outdone herself in Stealing Shadows. Ms. Hooper is apparently making her move from romance to thriller in an exciting book that will keep you glued to an explosive story that involves an intriguing cast of characters.

Psychic Cassie Neill moves to a small, secluded town in North Carolina from L.A. after she misreads the mind of a serial killer that results in the death of an innocent child. Blaming herself, she wants to isolated herself from the world and never be called upon to experience the terror she feels when using her psychic ability to enter the mind of a killer. Her aunt, who had spent the last twenty years hiding from the world because of her own psychic abilities has left her a house in the isolated countryside upon her death. Luck goes against Cassie as she begins to experience visions of a madman who is about to begin a killing spree. Cassie, knowing what skeptism is instored for her, goes to the local sheriff and prosecutor trying to warn them of what is ahead. Expressing doubt and disbelief, they are stunned to find out Cassie is right. There is a serial killer amid their small town stalking and brutally murdering women.

Kay Hooper has written one of the best novels I've read this year--if not the best. It amazes me how she has taken such a large, complex cast of characters, intertwined their lives, and still maintained the high level of terror and suspence in the plot. The suspense in this book never lets up. I'm glad there are two more novels folloing this one. I can't wait to see what Ms. Hooper has instored for her readers.

Grab this book, isolate yourself for a couple of hours, and get ready for one of the most exciting stories you'll ever read.

Telepath Cassie Neil knows the potential cost of helping the police catch the monsters butchering and killing innocent people. She realizes she risks her mind and her soul every time she goes into the mind of these beasts. A soul weary Cassie has entered the brains of too many malevolent beings. She quits the deadly game and moves to quiet Ryan's Bluff, North Carolina.

Cassie finds some peace and tranquility for the first time since she first hunted psychopaths. However, her rest and relaxation abruptly ends when a local resident relishes his first kill. Cassie taps inside the twisted pervert's mind and learns he will turn into a killing machine unless stopped. After the town sheriff rebuffs her appeal, Cassie asks Judge Ben Ryan for help. He believes her, especially when the killings start. Together they seek a homicidal murderer terrorizing the community.

Kay Hooper's books always contain a special spark so that her current powerful and fascinating tale will not surprise anyone. The para-psychic heroine comes across as vulnerable, leading to readers feeling very sympathetic towards her demons. The story line takes an unexpected twist, especially in the climax. STEALING SHADOWS steals the hearts of its audience as few novels can.

Harriet Klausner