Black Out-Lisa Unger

Black Out
Lisa Unger,
Shaye Areheart (Crown), May 2008, $23.00
ISBN: 0307338487

In Florida Annie and Gray Powers seem to have the perfect relationship while raising their beloved four-year-old daughter. However, this was not so less than ten years ago when teenager Ophelia March was either the prisoner or side kick of serial killer Marlowe Geary. Security consultant Gray rescued Ophelia but not before he sent the killer to his death. He later helped Ophelia become Annie.

Annie has blanked out much of her time under Marlowe’s thumb, but unconsciously has lingering problems that manifest with quick panicky glances over her shoulder, anxiety attacks and blackouts. However, when Annie notices a stranger on their property, she fears Marlowe is back while a dishonest cop looks into her pre marriage days. Annie realizes she must regain those painful memories that she buried along with Ophelia if she is to ever rid herself of Marlowe.

The fascination with this serial killer on an avenging mission lies with Annie who, as an intriguing protagonist, struggles to recall a past that she really does not want to remember. The story line is action-backed as fans anticipate high noon between the cold blooded chilling villain and the loving wife-mom who reinvented herself. Lisa Unger has the audience enthralled from the moment Annie believes Marlowe is back perhaps from Hell.

Harriet Klausner