Though LOVE ME TO DEATH is the first book in Allison Brennan's new Lucy Kincaid series, it features the Kincaid family and the Rogan's of the Rogan-Caruso-Kincaid (RCK) Agency from her earlier series. I for one was thrilled to see them all back in action. I have thoroughly enjoyed (in a spine-tingling, close your eyes in fear, can't put it down kind of way) Ms. Brennan's earlier books, and her latest book does not disappoint.

Lucy Kincaid, who we met in Speak No Evil, was kidnapped and nearly killed by an online predator in Fear No Evil. Six years later, she's volunteering with a victim's rights group, surfing the Web undercover to lure sex offenders into the hands of the law while she waits to hear from the FBI regarding her job application. Things take a wrong turn when the predators she hunts start turning up dead.

For help, Lucy turns to Sean Rogan (Fatal Secrets and Cutting Edge), security expert, daredevil, and her brother's business partner in RCK East. Sean agrees to help, in part because of his friendship with Patrick but also because of his attraction to Lucy and his need to keep her safe; particularly when they realize a stalker has his eyes on Lucy. Alongside the Kincaid's, Rogan's, and the FBI, they track their elusive quarry from anonymous online chat rooms onto the mean streets of Washington, D.C.

LOVE ME TO DEATH has all the qualities that have kept Ms. Brennan on my must read list. The suspense builds at just the right pace, with unexpected twists and turns and clues dropped just at the right moment to make you rethink what you believed to be true. The characters are intelligent, strong and complex, and also tender and fun. Ms. Brennan writes from the villain's point of view with a realism and detail that grabs you by the throat. Some may find the details a little graphic, so proceed with a bit of caution and skim those parts if you prefer. LOVE ME TO DEATH is an excellent beginning to the Lucy Kincaid series, and I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment.