Eve Wilson is a graduate student doing her thesis on the addictive controls of virtual reality games on the internet. Eve has at least six test subjects that she considers "red line" -- they are spending more and more time in "Shadowland" than is considered healthy. Eve is not supposed to know these volunteers other than by their online personae, but she has discovered who the ones are that may have a serious problem in real life. When one of her subjects is reported to have committed suicide, Eve feels a responsibility for the death. After all, these people answered an ad about being used as testing material, and now their addiction gets in the way of a healthy mental life. Knowing she faces expulsion for having confidential information, Eve reports the untimely death to Dr. Donner, her graduate advisor. He is upset that Eve has the audacity to suggest that there was not enough follow up on the situation, and will have to discuss the matter of her breaking confidentiality with the Dean.

Eve works evenings in a bar owned by a former cop, Sal, and his wife, Sally. Eve is the survivor of a brutal slashing and raping, and was left for dead. She has had surgeries done to her face and is just now able to function around strangers. Sal's place is a cop hang-out and there is one in particular that has caught Eve's attention. Noah Webster has been coming in with his partner, and always orders a tonic water. Noah really doesn't like this drink, but he wants to see Eve. Ten years ago he lost is wife and son in a car accident, and for the next eight years drowned his sorrows in alcohol. He's been sober for two years, but it never gets easy. He's very attracted to Eve, but feels he has too much emotional baggage to take the step toward her. Likewise, Eve feels a connection to Noah, but trust doesn't come fast or easy.

Two more of Eve's study subjects "commit suicide", or so the press is told. Actually, it is obvious these women were killed by a sadistic psychopath. What Noah and his "Hat Squad" can't figure out is the connection these victims have until Eve goes to the police and tells them these women are study subjects in a cyber village called Shadowland. Now, the police have something to go on and know that the predator is choosing these women from a virtual reality game -- a very deadly game.

Karen Rose writes edgy, gritty, and totally engrossing tales. In this story the reader is in the killer's head, watching through his eyes as he kills, but not knowing his identity. Noah is a terrific, flawed, but strong hero and he is perfect for Eve, as he brings out her strengths. He needs Eve's guidance through cyberspace to investigate the murders. This is one white-knuckle, pulse- pounding story that is impossible to put down even when you are being frightened to death yourself!

FYI: Eve was introduced in Ms. Rose's debut thriller, DON'T TELL (2003).

Book Summary

New York Times bestselling author Karen Rose delivers her latest pulse-pounding suspense novel, where the line between the virtual world and everyday reality blurs when it comes to murder.

Eve Wilson's face was once scarred by a vicious assault. Terrified and ashamed, she escaped to the online realm, where she could choose the face she allowed people to see. Years later, her outer scars faded and inner scars buried, Eve has fought her way back to the real world and is determined to help others do the same. Now a graduate student moonlighting as a bartender, Eve researches the addictive powers of online communities. When her test subjects begin turning up dead as a result of apparent suicides, she doesn't know where to turn.

Homicide detective Noah Webster is one of the few people who believe the victims are connected murders. Eve becomes Noah's online guide and realizes that the handsome detective may have secret scars as painful as her own. As Eve and Noah chase a killer who is always one step ahead of them, together they try to overcome the tragedies of their pasts and learn to trust again, but they soon discover that danger is much closer than they think.