Book ~ "The Prophet" (2012) Ethan Cross

From Goodreads ~ OLD ENEMIES ... Francis Ackerman Jr. is one of America's most prolific serial killers. Having kept a low profile for the past year, he is ready to return to work – and he's more brutal, cunning, and dangerous than ever.

NEW THREATS ... Scarred from their past battles, Special Agent Marcus Williams cannot shake Ackerman from his mind. But now Marcus must focus on catching the Anarchist, a new killer who drugs and kidnaps women before burning them alive.

HIDDEN TERRORS ... Marcus knows the Anarchist will strike again soon. And Ackerman is still free. But worse than this is a mysterious figure, unknown to the authorities, who controls the actions of the Anarchist and many like him. He is the Prophet – and his plans are more terrible than even his own disciples can imagine.

With attacks coming from every side, Marcus faces a race against time to save the lives of a group of innocent people chosen as sacrifices in the Prophet's final dark ritual.

Though I enjoyed this book, I found it was a bit slow and confusing in the beginning.  There were a few characters to get to know right away.  But once I figured out who was who and got to know them, I was okay and got into it.

I liked the characters.   Everyone has a scarred past, the good guys and the bad guys.  Marcus and Maggie (she works for the same agency) have had a relationship and are on a break, though each understands it differently.  This doesn't stop them from doing their job, though.  Marcus' brain is always remembering and analyzing everything.  He doesn't sleep much and suffers from migraines.  Andrew is a supportive friend and sidekick ... he knows that Marcus can act like an a-hole at times (Marcus doesn't seem to have any filters) but Andrew is forever smoothing things over for his friend.  Stan, the IT guy, is a hoot.

I liked the writing style once it became more fast paced.  The chapters are short and snappy, between one to five pages, which I like.  There are some twists and turns that are suspenseful surprises.  I was satisfied with the ending.  And just when I thought the story was over, there was a cliffhanger!

This is the second in the series.  It would help if you read the first book first to get the details on what happened between Akerman and Marcus but you don't need to ... this works as a stand alone book.  I'd like to go back and read the first one.

I participated in this virtual book tour and received a copy of this ebook at no charge in exchange for my honest review.   Here are the other tour host participants:

October 16th:  Review & Showcase~Cheryl @ CMash Reads

October 17th:  Review~Danica @ Taking it One Page at a Time
October 17th:  Guest Post~Jo @ Writers and Authors
October 18th:  Review~Beth @ Beth Art from the Heart
October 19th:  Showcase~Lance @ Omnimystery News

October 22nd:  Review & Giveaway~MK @ Popcorn Reads

October 23rd:  Review & Guest Post~Ashley @ Dr. Pepper Diva
October 25th:  Review, Guest Post & Giveaway~Ashna @ Wanted Readers

October 28th:  Review, Interview & Giveaway~Nicole @ Bless Their Hearts Mom

October 29th:  Review~Teena @ Teena In Toronto
October 30th:  Review~Kristin @ Keenly Kristin
October 30th:  Interview~Jo @ Writers and Authors

November 1st:  Review & Guest Post~Molly @ Reviews By Molly
November 2nd:  Review~Tara @ Tales of a Book Addict

November 6th:  Review~Fenny @ Hotchpotch

November 7th:  Reveiw & Giveaway~Kari @ From the TBR Pile

November 8th:  Review & Guest Post~Suzie @ The Bunny's Review

November 13th:  Review & Interview~Gautami @ Everything Distils Into Reading
November 15th:  Review~Wendy @ Musings of a Bookish Kitty
November 15th:  Review~Mary @ Mary's Cup of Tea

November 16th:  Review, Interview & Giveaway~Kathleen @ Jersey Girl Book Reviews
November 21st:  Review~Tina @ Smootchiefrog Reviews

November 22nd:  Review, Interview & Giveaway~Claire @ Project to be Read

November 24th:  Review~Tammy @ The Self-Taught Cook

November 26th:  Review & Guest Post~Misty @ The Top Shelf
November 27th:  Review~Terra @ Heck Of A Bunch

November 29th:  Review~Jo @ Writers and Authors
November 29th:  Review~Rick @ Rhodes Review
November 30th:  Review~Shandy @ Mama Knows Books

December 1st:  Review & Guest Post~Alan @ Electronic Scrapbook
December 3rd:  Review~Athena @ The Stuff of Success

December 4th:  Review & Interview~Kristi @ Books and Needlepoint
December 5th:  Review~Shelly @ {Dive} Under The Cover
December 6th:  Review~Lori @ Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book
December 7th:  Review~Cheryl @ Sweeping The USA
December 8th:  Review & Guest Post~Yvonne @ Socrate's Book Review Blog

December 10th:   Review~Kathleen @ Celticlady's Reviews
December 11th:  Review~Heather @ SavingFor6
December 10th:  Holiday Wishlist Spotlight~Jo @ Writers and Authors