Charlie Stone is a psychiatrist who studies serial killers. When she was seventeen, she saw the Boardwalk Killer kill a new friend and the friend's family but managed to hide and escape with her life. The Boardwalk Killer was never caught. Charlie also sees the ghosts of some people who died violent deaths which she has to keep a secret. She had two reasons to go into psychiatry. First, she would seldom be around they dying. And, second, the could learn how to survive the trauma her own brush with death left on her.Charlie is studying serial killers at a prison in Virginia. She is focusing on Michael Allen Garland - handsome, charismatic, and convicted of killing 7 young women - when the FBI comes to her for help. It looks like the Boardwalk Killer has resurfaced and is killing again. Despite her terror at the thought of being involved, she has to agree to help. On their way out of the prison, Charlie is called to a medical emergency. Another inmate has stabbed Garland in the heart. Charlie can do little but watch him bleed out. She watches him die and then watches his spirit form above his body. Garland is back and only Charlie can see him.Charlie is not happy to have Garland with her. She wants to send him to the light; he wants her to find a way that he can stay. In Charlie's experience, ghosts only stay for about a week before going on to the next world. So, besides being deeply involved in tracking down the new killer, she has to deal with a sexy, charismatic, serial killer ghost of her very own. I loved the byplay between Charlie and Michael. I loved that she knew he was completely "Mr. Wrong" but she wanted him so much. I loved how he tried to help her. And I loved finding out more about Michael Garland. Meanwhile, Charlie is also developing a relationship with Tony Bartoli who is the FBI agent she should want. They have a lot more in common, including that he is alive, than she and Michael do. Unfortunately, her heart and body want Michael no matter how much her mind is saying Tony. This was an excellent police procedural about the search for a serial killer. Watching Tony and his team work the case was very interesting. It was also an excellent, unconventional romance. Bartoli offers her a job with his team. Since Baroli doesn't mix business with pleasure, any chance of a romance between he and Charlie would end if she took the job. Charlie refuses but does agree to consult as needed. I will be looking forward to more books in this series.
