This is a really good mystery with likeable and interesting characters, a frisson of darkness and plenty of CSI like drama.

I really enjoyed the 'In the Flesh' series which focused on Reno PD Detective Cristian Flesh. This story is the beginning of a new series based on the Reno PD, but with new characters. The best part is that there are appearances from the other characters in the Flesh series, so although this book is new and can be read as a stand alone, it does have some continuity for fans of the Flesh series.

This is a great new start though and this new series opens with a story about forensics expert Leif Carson.

Leif is a highly intelligent young man. He has excelled at school, at university and is now on the fast track to a senior position within the evidence department at Reno PD. Although he is a high flyer at work he is a reserved young man (nerd) in his private life. He doesn't date, hasn't ever had a relationship and spends his time on gaming, but he does have some friends and it is at his friend's house that he meets the hot and hunky Rafe.

Rafe is a troubled police detective. Having returned from an undercover assignment he is dealing with his trauma by drinking, partying and sex. When he meets Leif all of that comes to a quick end and it does look as if there is hope around the corner. Leif is deeply attracted to Rafe. He knows Rafe isn't into long term relationships but he hopes that they can at least get to know each other. Unfortunately everything unravels before the relationship even begins.

Leif is gutted when things don't work out with Rafe but he decides to keep hoping. Meanwhile there is a serial killer on the loose who is torturing and murdering gay men. Cristian is relying on Leif to process and analyse the evidence that will help them catch the killer. Leif ploughs his energy into this, hoping that his evidence will give the police sufficient clues to work with.

When Rafe is kidnapped by the murderer Leif finds that he is in a race against time to rescue Rafe and rescue the hope of a relationship with him.

I really enjoyed this story. I loved the way the different characters each had very distinctive voices that gave the story a rich, fast paced feel and kept me hooked. Leif is a great character, both nerdy, clever and adorable but he is also able to fight his corner when needed. Rafe really comes across as the bad boy who is sinking rather than swimming but unable to recognise this himself. Theirs is a gentle, emerging romance which is easily derailed by the pressures that Rafe is ignoring.

And then the darkness falls when the killer strikes!

I thought this was a well written story with a good pace and a frisson of darkness and suspense. Towards the end the pace ramps up and I was on tenterhooks because I knew that the big reveal was about to happen. As always I had my own suspects but I didn't know why the killer was murdering people. It had a good ending and I definitely think this is going to be a series for me to follow.

Copy provided by Dreamspinner via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.