Scar the Sky

Scott (Call the Dark) brings the chills in this inventive serial killer thriller. At the outset, teacher Andi Ellis is hit and killed by a lightning strike, then resuscitated by substitute teacher Max Conroy minutes later. She manages a quick recovery, but sustains scars and develops strange abilities to interfere with electrical frequencies. In the aftermath of the accident, Andi and Max embark on a romantic relationship. Seven years later, Max has turned emotionally abusive, and Andi has fled to the Southwest with her young daughter. Andi’s escape coincides with the disappearance of Abby Walden, a U.S. Senator’s daughter, who’s found dead with lightning scars on her body. Linnea Wren and Adan Rio, the two ex-FBI agents who were hired to find Abby, soon discover that she’s just the latest in a line of lightning strike victims to be killed, and theorize that a serial murderer whom they dub the Lightning Tree Killer is responsible. Word of their search for LTK reaches Andi, who fears for her life. Scott’s wild plot offers surprises even for veteran suspense fans. Readers of Lincoln Child and Douglas Preston should check this out. (Sept.)