In the heart-pounding sequel to the "zippy, gripping psychological drama" (Kirkus Reviews) Killer Instinct, teen vigilante Lane must face the secrets and unexpected consequences that arise in the wake of her first kill.
It's been three months since Lane made her first kill-the sadistic Decapitator-and now she feels both closer and more alienated than ever from her united, grieving family. Haunted by conflicting memories of her mother, Lane resumes her role as the vigilante Masked Savior out of a feeling of obligation-but her heart just isn't in it anymore. Now that Lane has felt the rush of deeper, darker thrills, a growing part of her wants to revisit its seductive power, and she's not sure how long she can resist.
Meanwhile, the Masked Savior has inspired its own fan site, where groupies gather online to praise, document, and debate each delivered act of justice. But one of Lane's secret admirers is becoming a cunning copycat, exacting "justice" on defenseless innocents, increasing the violence with each attack.
Someone is watching Lane, edging closer to making contact-someone who knows her darkest secrets. Will Lane be able to stop the copycat and keep her identity protected, or will she give in to the thrills that tempt her?
She’s not evil, but she has certain … urges.
Lane is a typical teenager—loving family, good grades, after-school job at the local animal hospital, martial arts enthusiast—but her secret obsession is studying serial killers. She understands them, knows what makes them tick. Why? Because she might be one herself.
Lane channels her dark impulses by hunting criminals—delivering justice when the law fails. The vigilantism stops shy of murder. But with each visceral rush the line of self-control blurs.
And then a young preschool teacher goes missing—only to return in parts.
When Lane excitedly gets involved in the hunt for “the Decapitator,” the vicious serial murderer that has come to her hometown, she gets dangerously caught up in a web of lies about her birth dad and her own dark past. And once the Decapitator contacts Lane directly, Lane knows she is no longer invisible or safe. Now she needs to use her unique talents to find the true killer’s identity before she—or someone she loves—becomes the next victim.
“Fans of Criminal Minds and Dexter will find this is right up their alley. With an engaging and complex main character and a plot twist you’ll never see coming, Green’s first novel is to die for.”—RT Book Reviews (4 stars)
