I stayed up late last night to finish this one. This is the fourth book in the series about Detective Natalie Lockhart and it's a nail-biter to the finish! When we last saw Burning Lake NY, Natalie's boss and longtime friend, Luke, was found at the bottom of a ravine, seriously injured by their corrupt colleague Peter Murphy. In this instalment, the recently-recovered Luke and Natalie try to fit all the pieces together and link up the violence and strange events in Burning Lake. Natalie makes a gruesome and unsettling discovery at a property in Burning Lake, uncovers startling new information about her missing friend Bella Striver, and makes some decisions about her relationship with Hunter Rose.

The tension is ratcheted way up in this latest book about Burning Lake. The descriptions of the grim discoveries, dark witchcraft, and dilapidated houses create that classic Burning Lake atmosphere of foreboding mixed with anticipation. The pace is quick and the revelations come fast and furious, especially in the final chapters of the book (the reason for my late night). Natalie's hesitation to commit to Hunter finally comes to a resolution, proving that you should never, never ignore that little voice inside, and there are some character stories that take a surprising turn.

I was definitely all in on this one. It is a satisfying conclusion to the many professional and personal mysteries haunting Natalie throughout the four books. It felt rather final in the last pages which leads me to question if perhaps Alice Blanchard is finished her series about Natalie Lockhart. I certainly hope not, as I have grown very attached to her. So many thanks to Alice and Minotaur for allowing me to read an advanced copy. It was a complete pleasure and a privilege.

If you love a tense mystery and a modern, gothic Salem-ish setting with witchy themes then, witch, get yourself to the bookstore and buy this series!