The Soul Catcher

I really enjoyed reading the O'Dell series by Alex Kava. I can't wait until A Necessary Evil comes out. This is a great book, all of them are great reads. If you do read them make sure you read them in order: A Perfect Evil, Split Second, Soul Catcher, At The Stroke of Madness, and coming in February 2006 A Necessary Evil. These are page turning books that you just can't get tired of reading. They were so good, I read all four within a month!

Alex Kava has taken FBI/ATF standoff tragedies and written a compeling fictional story about a religious cult headed up by a character insisting on being called FATHER. Father is actually a miserable but fairly predictable pervert who preys on the lonely and disenfranchised. The story opens with a shootout in a cabin in Massachusetts where members of the cult are holed up and the FBI is trying to talk them out. The leader passes out sucicide pills, and all but one of the six die. One FBI agent is fatally wounded.FBI Special Agent Maggie O'Dell is assigned to the case and as she begins her investigation, two murdered girls are discovered that seem to be linked somehow to Everett's church which is recruiting new members daily. As the story unfolds it is easy to assume that Everett is somehow behind the murders. Most of the characters, in the story, however have deep secrets or ghosts that they are battling including Agent O'Dell. Maggie's mother turns up a member of the cult and in danger. Maggie and her mother have had a difficult relationship since the death of Maggie's father. With each murder there is a rally being held. There are surprises as each character finally ties in to a relationship with members of the cult.We first met O'Dell in A Perfect Evil when she solved a case, and met Nick Morelli. She is a likable character with a lot of baggage including a controlling soon-to-be ex-husband and a past with Morelli that she can't come to grips with. O'Dell and Morelli worked well together. Hopefully in books to come they will get back together. The Soul Catcher is a good read.

In Suffolk County, Massachusetts, the FBI and ATF agents have the secluded cabin surrounded trapping the six cult members inside with a large cache of weapons. "Father" informs the sextet that they must not allow Satan to catch them so they each swallow cyanide capsules just before the bullets fly. However, Eric Pratt spits out his capsule deciding life with Satan is better than no life. Six dead in all counting the hostage negotiation team agent.FBI Special Agents Maggie O'Dell and R.J. Tully investigate the Massachusetts massacre and the related homicide of Ginny Brier near the FDR Memorial. Both are linked by a connection to the charismatic Reverend Joseph Everett. However, this case has personal implications for the two Feds heading up the inquiries. Maggie's mother is a member of Everett's church and Tully's daughter was with the victim of the FDR Memorial killing on the night of the murder.THE SOUL CATCHER is a great FBI tale due to the strong secondary cast though one must wonder why the agents were not excused from the case due to conflicts of interest. Turning a Ruby Ridge-Waco scenario into a real drama works for this novel because the zillion of support characters seem so genuine leading to a plausible, exhilarating plot. Alex Kava transforms the imagery of a monolithic FBI and sheep-like cultists into a series of intelligent human beings who sustain a strong police procedural tale.Harriet Klausner

I'm going to keep this short and sweet. The only thing to be said for and about this author is I wish she could write faster. Her story telling is superb, the characters truly come to life, and the suspense is unrelenting!!! If you start this book, plan to pull an all nighter because I dare you to try and put it down.

Wow. I could not put this book down. Maggie O'Dell is back. Two unrelated series of murders are finally connected together. Then Maggie realizes that her own mother may be in danger. Reverend Everett is the connection to both crimes. Is he just some minister? Or is he a madman out to overpower innocent people? Alex Kava, what can i say! Wow. This book is filled with twists and unexpected suprises. Go get it now!