J. T. Ellison

A serial killer is targeting young Vanderbilt University coeds, one of whom is the daughter of a major university benefactor and Texas oilman. Lt. Taylor Jackson, Nashville cop, and Dr. Samantha Owens, medical examiner, face a huge public relations nightmare. Taylor, struggling with departmental strife, is asked to partner with troubled FBI profiler Dr. John Baldwin, who is back in Tennessee after a disastrous investigation accident. Owens is perplexed by the odd ritualistic evidence present on the victims. Together, they must work around the clock to find the killer before another girl dies.

Field of Graves

Fellowes Cynthia

This was my first book by J.T. Ellison. I have been reading her blog entries recently where she discusses her writing process and it has been fascinating. I was eager to plunge in and read her books and she suggested that this was a good one to start with as it was a prequel to one of her series. 

I didn't realize until I finished it that this was the first book she had ever written, that it had actually never been published, but it had successfully gotten her an agent!

I enjoyed the characters, the plot of a crime unit searching for a serial killer, the flaws of the main protagonists and the atmosphere of a stormy New Orleans.

Some of the writing seemed disjointed, disconnected and uneven, but now that I know it was a first novel I am incredibly impressed with the depth of the writing and of the plot. 

Spoiler alert -

I had some problems with the character of Bailey and felt his disabilities were enabled by the other characters as opposed to their supporting his recovery. I also initially didn't care for the relationship between Bailey and Taylor as it felt very codependent and unhealthy at times, but I support people who can dig themselves out of the hole of despair and move on with their lives however awkwardly they do so.

I look forward with great anticipation to reading more of her books and especially continuing with this series.

Field of Graves

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