Chemistry of Evil by Lynne Connolly is the fourth book in the Department 57 series where the paranormal is the norm and crime can take an evil twist.

For over a century, Mordred was kept in limbo without a body or means of escape. This time was supposed to have him reflect on his misdeeds and feel remorse for his actions. But in order for that to happen, you have to care about other people, and all he thought about was escaping from his prison and getting even. All he needed was for someone to find the item and call for him. Then he would have his revenge.

Sophie is an archaeologist in Tintagel for her vacation hoping to find what all archaeologists want to find: a famous missing relic. All Sophie finds is what looks like a whistle, but what it really is no one knows. Her fiancé Archie talks the find down as usual. Things between Sophie and Archie are not good, and she is working up the courage to break things off with him before it is too late. Sophie is presently working with the FBI on cases where they need forensic archeologist, much to Archie’s disdain. A stranger, Evan Howell from the CIA, arrives at the dig asking to speak with Sophie about a case she was working on. Before they have a chance to talk, Sophie blows of the whistle as a joke and then things begin to spiral out of control. Archie keels over dead, but then comes back like nothing happened. Except now Archie isn’t acting like Archie. What happened to Archie? What does Evan want with Sophie besides their obvious attraction to one another? What will happen to Sophie? What do the CIA and the FBI cases have in common?

Ms. Connolly has continued her series with this incredible story that entwines the paranormal in a contemporary plot. The past sometimes rears its ugly head forcing people to take on situations that most people would never believe. The people of Department 57 are one such group of people that take the unusual and solve cases that others would never understand. The character Cristos, the head of the department, is shrouded in mystery, one that I would enjoy unraveling. The love affair between Sophie and Evan is both poignant and very erotic. The scenes with Mordred take a dark twist as Evan and Sophie fight to piece together the mystery while trying to stay alive. The story is fast paced, ensnaring the reader from the very start. I look forward to reading other stories in the Department 57 series.

Reviewed by: Teresa