Danielle Steel's newest book entitled SOUTHERN LIGHTS is the story New York City ADA, Alexa Hamilton. Alexa is feeling a bit like her skills aren't being used to their fullest potential as she prosecutes one mediocre crime after another, when she's called into the bosses office, and handed a once in a life time case...the prosecution of an accused serial killer Luke Quentin.

As the evidence starts piling up on Luke and more states are sble to tie their unsolved murders to him, the FBI wants to be involved. There's a chance they'll take the case and prosecute themselves, but Alexa fights to be able to keep it in New York, and to be the one to handle it regardless of the possible toll it will take on her.

The one thing Alexa is not expecting is that even though he's in jail and can't truly get to her Luke begins to threaten her daughter Savannah. Alexa sees only one choice, and that is to get Savannah out of town where Luke can't use his outside contacts to reach her.

Now, the story changes as Savannah and Alexa who have an unusually close relationship must learn to depend on the father and ex husband that neither truly know for Savannah's safety. While we as readers still know what is happening with the trial we also get an insiders view of a developing family relationship that has lain dormant for years.

Overall SOUTHERN LIGHTS by Danielle Steel had a different feel than previous titles that I've read because of the serial killer subplot and the details that provided. I used to be a big fan of Ms. Steels and over the years my enthusiasm has waned. While I enjoyed this book I did feel as though it could have been told in less pages and been just as enjoyable.