After Gin Blanco, aka The Spider, defeated her nemisis, Mab Monroe, she expected life to settle down a bit. The problem now, however, is that every two-bit lowlife who wants to make a name for himself is showing up at her restaurant, The Pork Pit, to take her out.

When Gin's foster brother, Finnigan Lane, suggests a vacation, Gin begrudgingly finds herself heading to the beach town of Blue Marsh for some R&R with her baby sister, Bria. Leaving town doesn't solve Gin's problems though, it just gives a chance for new problems to present themselves.

When Bria's best friend, Callie, is threatened by Randall Dekes, a local vampire tycoon, Gin steps in to help her with the problem. Things become even more complicated when Calli's fiance, Donovan Caine, Gin's old flame from Ashland, shows up. Facing disapproval from both Caine and Bria over how she deals with problems doesn't deter Gin from helping Callie, but with Dekes Gin might just be in over her head. More powerful than she imagined, Gin may just have met her match and more in Randall Dekes, and this time, the Spider might not make it out alive.

BY A THREAD, the sixth book in Jennifer Estep's Elemental Assassin series, continues the pulse-pounding action one has come to expect from Estep's books.

Gin Blanco is at her assassin best, taking out goons any which way she can. I love her kill first, ask questions later philosophy. Not that killing people left and right isn't exciting on its own, but the best thing about this book, I felt, was Gin's growth as a character. She got to resolve her feelings not only for Donovan but for Bria and Owen as well. As always, Finn, Sophia and Jo-Jo are as fabulous as ever.

Part of the appeal of this series is the tight bond Gin has with those that make up her mish-mashed family. This is an intense series which will captivate you thoroughly. One of the best urban fantasy series currently on the market, if you're not reading these books, you are seriously missing out on an exceptional and thrilling read.