Eden

After homicide detectives Eden Archer and Frank Bennett’s last case ended badly, Frank has resorted to drinking to numb the pain of the loss of his girlfriend. But now, with three girls missing, Eden needs him alert and ready to back her up when she goes undercover on a remote “rehab” farm. If that’s not enough to keep Frank on his toes, the underworld boss, Hades, who raised Eden is back in the picture. I really like these books that portray strong but very damaged heroes that Fox somehow manages to keep us caring about.

"Eden" by Candace Fox is the latest novel featuring a serial killer who hunts serial killers (e.g. "Dexter," "Son of a serial killer, " "I hunt killers"). Like Dexter, Eden Archer works for the police, and has increased access and justified reasons to have contact with the criminals she eventually dispatches. Although "Eden" may have surface similarities to the work of several other authors, it manages to feel unique and interesting. Obviously a novel about serial killers is filled with a high level of violence, but the language, sexual content and violence made sense within the context of the storylines. While "Eden" is the follow up to Ms Fox's debt "Hades", it easily works as a standalone novel. The author presents enough back story for all of the central characters that the reader doesn't feel lost at any point in the novel. The Australian setting was unfamiliar, but described in enough detail to provide necessary context for the story. Candace Fox was able to weave multiple storylines into a coherent and compelling mystery thriller. I was quite engaged by the characters and found it hard to put the novel down. I will put "Hades" on my "to read list", and will be on the lookout for future releases from this talented author.

After reading only a few pages I realized that this book was the second in a series and the characters were so intriguing that I had to pick up the first book. Despite not having read book 1 I plunged ahead and fell in love with Hades, Eden and Frank.

This book is fast paced and full of mystery. I loved it. I couldn't put it down, and there is a bit of a cliff hanger in the epilogue that left me desperate for the next book and this one just came out!

The story delves into Hades past, where he came from and how he came to be what he is, and also where his passion for art came about. Living in a garbage dump Hades still helps people take care of "trash" but he has his scruples. His business is being compromised by someone watching him, someone who wants payback for the past, something that he swears he didn't do.

Meanwhile Eden, Hades daughter goes undercover to try to solve a murder and may be underestimating the killer. Her back up is falling in love with her and Eden being the predator she is doesn't really have time for this. Jack seems torn between Hades, his need to help his partner and trying to get over the death of his girlfriend.

The characters are all really well developed, dark and broken but realistic. This is definately a series to keep your eyes on, because I have a feeling its only going to get better.

When I started reading this, I really didn't like the characters or the unannounced jumps from era to era. About a third of the way through I realized I was hooked and wanted to know who did what to whom and when. The story covers many years, but they are not written sequentially, they are thrown into a maze and the reader has to distinguish for himself. It is unusual and, ultimately, challenging and engrossing. I found myself reading it when I should have been doing other things. This is, for me, always a sign of good reading.