"intriguing serial killer police procedural romance"

In Kansas City, therapist Jessica Langford runs a two hour evening radio show, Are You Afraid of the Dark? That provides advice to those with phobias. However, a caller states that Jessica fears cemeteries. Her producer Chris Mathison asks if she is okay as Jessica goes pale. She thinks back to eighteen years ago as a teenager when the T&B serial killer buried her alive at Hillside Cemetery at Camerson Jackson' gravesite, but she was rescued; the perp was never caught.

Detective Jake Merridan investigates several recent homicides of young females. His failure to make progress, as a serial killer surfaces, frustrates him. Jessica knows who stalked her on the air as he is back but plans this time she plans to confront her fear and the T&B killer. Her efforts take her into the midst of Jake's inquiries and he soon sees a tie with the physical looks of the victims and the radio therapist. As they fall in love, he vows to keep her safe from a serial killer who is either a copy cat or the return of the T&B.

ARE YOU AFRAID? is an intriguing serial killer police procedural romance. Jake is a fascinating lead as he struggles with a case going nowhere until he meets Jessica and his frustration changes as he needs to keep his beloved safe. Jessica has come a long way from the frightened sixteen years old near victim, but answers affirmative to the title question. Though how T&B kept his obsession in check for so long yet now is obsessed to finish the job seems odd, fans of suspense thrillers will want to read Carla Cassidy's captivating novel.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted March 29, 2006

Summary

Where do you go when you're running from your past?

She thought the darkest part of her life was behind her...

At the age of sixteen, Jessica Langford endured and escaped the grip of a serial killer who buried his victims alive. Overcoming this terrifying experience, she started her own radio program to help those living in fear. If she could survive her past, why not help others do the same?

...until the darkness closed in again.

But now, her past is being resurrected. An anonymous man calls in to her show with remarkable knowledge of her traumatic experience—and her worst fears. Now, with help from Detective Jake Merridan—a gorgeous cop who is on the brink of burn-out himself—she must try to uncover the intentions of this mysterious caller, to find him before he kills again—and makes Jessica's life worse than anything she's ever feared.