In 1985 a serial killer in Brighton Falls, Connecticut named Neptune surgically removes his captives' right hands which are then left in a paper bag on the doorstep of the police department. After feeding them buttered lobster he strangles them, leaving them naked and in the open on the 4th day to be found. Thirteen year old Regina Dufrane's beautiful mother, Vera, is victim #4, but her body is never discovered. Reggie is raised by her Aunt Lorraine until time for college.

Leaving her friends Tara and Charlie behind, Reggie makes her own way in the world receiving accolades as one of the top architects in the Northeast. The three have kept secrets deeply hidden stemming from that horrid summer. Now living in Vermont Reggie is called back 25 years later to confront the horrible past of that summer after Vera is found alive and dying of cancer. Vera is not of a right mind and cannot help Reggie and Charlie, who are determined to uncover the murderer as Tara's severed hand reveals the next victim. The many strings attaching the residents of Brighton Falls places suspicion on many. Finally revealing who her father is, Reggie becomes drawn into the web of Neptune along with Tara, and is forced to use her wits to save them both.

This is one chilling tale of a cold blooded serial killer, choosing a very macabre ritual for his victims and their deaths. This has a very twisted ending and will keep you vacillating from one suspect to another with each clue that is uncovered. This is an exciting and chilling mystery that absolutely keeps you tied to your seat. Jennifer McMahon definitely has the gift of keeping readers in suspense and waiting for the next chilling event. Normally this is not the type of book that I read, but I have to say this one definitely kept my attention and was an extraordinarily exciting read.

Book Summary

The summer of 1985 changes Reggie’s life. An awkward thirteen-year-old, she finds herself mixed up with the school outcasts. That same summer, a serial killer called Neptune begins kidnapping women. He leaves their severed hands on the police department steps and, five days later, displays their bodies around town. Just when Reggie needs her mother, Vera, the most, Vera’s hand is found on the steps. But after five days, there’s no body and Neptune disappears.

Now, twenty-five years later, Reggie is a successful architect who has left her hometown and the horrific memories of that summer behind. But when she gets a call revealing that her mother has been found alive, Reggie must confront the ghosts of her past and find Neptune before he kills again.