by J. A. Jance
Part of Ali Reynolds, book 5
First published 2009
A woman is pulled naked from a blazing fire in the Arizona desert, her body severely burned and her memory completely gone. She lies in a hospital bed, unable to speak, communicating only through blinking. Sister Anselm, known locally as the "Angel of Death" for her work with unidentified patients, becomes the woman's advocate and protector. Ali Reynolds arrives as the new media consultant for Yavapai County Police, tasked with managing press coverage of what appears to be an arson case linked to the domestic terrorist group Earth Liberation Front. But Ali's role expands as she joins Sister Anselm in trying to identify the mysterious patient. Their investigation reveals that someone desperately wants this woman dead and will kill again to finish what the fire started. As Ali and Sister Anselm dig deeper into the victim's past, they uncover a web of secrets that puts all three women in mortal danger. Ali must decide how far she will go to protect an innocent woman and bring a ruthless killer to justice.
Genres: suspense, mystery, crime, contemporary, thriller, action
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-allies, investigation, secrets
Setting: Arizona, Yavapai County
Period: Contemporary
368 pages · Hardcover · Touchstone
Content warnings: violence