Zach Douglass and his fiancée, Angie Sutcliffe, are partners who work for the Institute for Paranormal Research in Seattle. Angie is a powerful psychic investigator, and Zach, a paranormal psychologist, acts as a buffer between her and the outside world. When they are sent to Portland to investigate an unusual murder, Zach’s life turns upside-down.

The murder appears to be connected to the occult or black magic, and Angie is visibly shaken by whatever she senses at the crime scene. Shortly after Kate, the third member of their investigative team, arrives from Seattle, Angie dies in Zach’s arms, apparently of natural causes. Zach is unconvinced, however, and sets out to meet the woman Angie told him to find, Jenny Murdock.

Jenny is a linguist who specializes in translating ancient languages. When confronted with the ancient, leather-bound book that Angie gave to Zach just before her death, she discovers that parts of her psyche that she thought had long ago been buried have now been reawakened. And Zach himself is tied to the murder, the book, Angie’s death, and Jenny’s life in ways neither she nor Zach could ever have imagined.

I enjoyed reading this book and think it would be an intriguing read for anyone interested in psychic phenomena, mystery, and romance. The story line grabs your interest from the very beginning and doesn’t let you go until the final sentence. Debbie Mumford keeps you constantly guessing about what will happen next, makes you feel as if the characters have become your friends, and then ends the story with a very satisfying conclusion. Although I would like to see certain aspects “fleshed-out” a bit more, overall this is a terrific story with moving romance, captivating suspense, and a solid ending.

Reviewed by: Susan W.