Rick's first wife Jennifer enjoyed living on the edge. She made choices that were sure to cause pain and suffering to everyone, including herself. Dying in a single car accident, Jennifer left behind Rick, her ex-husband by that time, her daughter Kristi, and lingering doubts about her lifestyle in those who knew her best. Twelve years after the accident, it seems as if the damage Jennifer inflicted may have been repaired; Rick rejuvenated his career as police officer by moving from L.A. to New Orleans, he's stopped drinking, is happily married to Olivia, and raised Kristi into a fine young woman. Everything changes again after Rick has an accident that puts him into a coma for two weeks. After waking it's his physical condition that causes concern, with a damaged spine and leg, but soon it will be his emotional condition that takes center stage. Put on leave from the NOPD until his injuries won't prevent him doing his job, Rick has more time to think about the vision he had as he emerged from his coma. He's sure he saw Jennifer. Then he receives recently taken photos of "Jennifer" in Los Angeles and a copy of her death certificate with a red question mark. He can't let it go, even though he's sure someone is messing with him, and he flies to L.A. to figure out who's behind it all. When Rick left the LAPD, he left with some black marks on his record. No one in the department is too happy to see him and it's a struggle to get anyone to take his problems seriously. Starting his own investigation he begins to question old friend of his ex-wife, but he rarely likes what he's hearing. Jennifer was more troubled and troublesome than Rick had ever realized. He's spotted "Jennifer" around town repeatedly and women Rick's come in contact with begin to die. As the tension increases around his investigation in LA, things back home begin to heat up as well. Olivia is getting threatening calls and it seems almost too likely that whoever is after Rick may use his wife to get to him. What's true, what's imagined, and who's behind it all? Who will survive the killing spree? And who won't? This the latest entry to the New Orleans series. Rick began his journey in Hot Blooded, was joined by Olivia in Cold Blooded, and both were included in Kristi's story Lost Souls. Rick's partner had his story told in Shiver. Before and Absolute Fear are also part of this grouping. There's plenty of background, so readers won't be lost if they start with MALICE but you'll probably want to go back to read more about these characters anyway. There's plenty of clever plot turns and the suspense builds from the beginning of the book. Put aside some time because once you start reading, you won't want to stop.