Into the Fire

The Girl in the Sand by LT Vargus and Tim McBain is Book 3 in A Violet Darger Thriller Series.

From LT Vargus' own words after reading Red Dragon by Thomas Harris, she wrote that she wanted "to spend the rest of my life writing creepy stuff." The Girl in the Sand definitely reaches that goal.

The world hasn't heard from serial killer Leonard Stump since he escaped from a Carson City courthouse some 20 years ago. That is until a brief letter was delivered to FBI Agent/Profiler Violet Darger at the end of Killing Season. When law enforcement and fire trucks respond to a burned car in the desert not terribly far from the Las Vegas Strip, two bound females are found in the trunk. Special Agent Loshak has summoned Darger to come immediately. When she realizes he's come to Las Vegas for a different reason than he told her, she's furious with him and questions his trust in their partnership. He's able to gradually smooth it over by admitting his past vulnerabilities with this particular case. They both agree it has to be him (Stump) because it's exactly how he's done his killings in the past. However, convincing the Sheriff's Assistant Corby of Stump's resurgence proves to be difficult. Until another burning car is found but this time things are different. 

What it takes to make Loshak's and Darger's assertions stick is a morbid scene which explains why no one has heard from the killer for so long. 

When a female escort is reported missing by a friend, things start falling into place. A plan is put forward that unexpectedly puts Darger and another escort in terrible danger. 

A cunning, philosophical, and determined planner, Leonard Stump has the voice of the devil when reciting, justifying, and expounding his reasoning to his latest captive. Mixing a tiny tendril of truth with all of his deceptions, his monologues sound quite convincing – at least to himself. 

If you want a truly creepy thriller with a determined, violent killer, a strong victim, a vulnerable FBI Agent unwilling to give up, then The Girl in the Sand is the read for you. Again, plenty of profanity. 

Father, please continue to bless these authors and minister in their lives. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.