Edge of Midnight

By Leslie Tentler

The collection isn't complete without her.…

The writer becomes the story when crime reporter Mia Hale is discovered on a Jacksonville beach—bloodied and disoriented, but alive. She remembers nothing, but her wounds bear the signature of a sadistic serial killer.

After years lying dormant, The Collector has resumed his grim hobby: abducting women and taking gruesome souvenirs before dumping their bodies. But none of his victims has ever escaped—and he wants Mia back, more than he ever wanted any of the others.

FBI agent Eric MacFarlane has pursued The Collector for a long time. The case runs deep in his veins, bordering on obsession…and Mia holds the key. She'll risk everything to recover her memory and bring the madman to justice, and Eric swears to protect this fierce, fragile survivor. But The Collector will not be denied. In his mind, he knows just how their story ends.

"The shivers are worthy of a Lisa Jackson." —Publishers Weekly on Midnight Caller

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins UK
• Release date: Feb 3, 2012
• ISBN: 9781408969649

Leslie Tentler

Leslie Tentler worked in PR before writing fiction. Her first manuscript won multiple RWA chapter contest awards, including the prestigious Maggie Award of Excellence. Leslie is a native of Kingsport, TN. Growing up, she was an avid reader, first of Nancy Drew novels and then surreptitiously devouring her mother’s historical romances at probably too young an age. Her reading interests later moved to dark, contemporary romantic thrillers, which she writes today. She lives in Atlanta.

Reviews for Edge of Midnight

[lauren2013_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Edge of Midnight
4 Stars

Crime reporter Mia Hale is the latest victim of the sadistic serial killer known as The Collector. She is also the only one to escape his clutches, but much to the chagrin of law enforcement, has no memory of her abduction. FBI profiler, Eric MacFarlane, has personal reasons for wanting to capture The Collector and knows that Mia is the key. As the two work together and the killer sets his sights on Mia once again, Eric swears to protect her even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice.

Series note: None of the characters in the Chasing evil trilogy are connected and each of the books can be read as standalones.

An intense psychological thriller with likable characters and a satisfying romance.

Eric and Mia are both well-developed characters with interesting backstories that contribute to understanding both Eric's obsession with The Collector and Mia's determination with contributing to the investigation.

Eric and Mia have solid chemistry and their romance is more believable than in the first two installments, although like Tentler's other stories in the series, the heroine is more emotionally attached than the hero.

In terms of the mystery, the villain is exceedingly brutal and sadistic. His identity is revealed early on and readers are given his POV, which ratchets up the tension and suspense without undermining the procedural elements.

There are one or two moments that require a healthy suspension of disbelief, but these do not minimize the overall effect of the mystery or the romance.

In sum, a well-written and exciting story with just the right mix of action, suspense and romance.

[dawn772 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Some interesting aspects to the investigation in this romantic suspense but through most of the book the hero lingered in his guilt and was slow to solve the case because he was personally involved. Reporter Mia escapes from a serial killer and works with agent Eric to capture him.

[judithdcollins · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another suspense winner by Tentler! Review to follow.

[beckymmoe_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great, creepy, suspenseful read! Just the right blend of criminology and romance--though it's definitely not one for the faint of heart. More than one scene is fairly gruesome, but that's to be expected given the subject matter. It's definitely not done gratuitously, but it is there, so be warned if it's going to bother you. For me, it was very reminiscent of a well-done episode of Forensic Files or The New Detectives--with the definite plus that it was fiction! (And the only visuals were in my mind. Though come to think on it, that might actually be worse....) Leslie Tentler did a fantastic job of getting into the minds of her characters--Mia, the "one who got away", Eric, the agent determined to bring the Collector to justice, and the Collector himself--shudder. His point of view might have been the most realistic of all. I'm definitely going to pick up the first two books in this series--soon!

[tabathav_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A woman on a mission. I love reading books where the main female character is all Chuck Norris minded! For Mia, going through something as horrible as being taken hostage by a serial killer, living through it and then going through what she did to remember everything to help catch him, just amazes me. I wish at times that I had the strength that she did!Then you add in FBI Agent, Eric McFarlane. To lose his wife to the very same serial killer years before Mia was attacked, gives him all the more reason to watch to catch this man. Another person on a mission in this book. The dedication and persistence shown in this story line is simply mesmerizing.Somewhere along the way Eric begins to fall for Mia. I mean, what guy wouldn't fall for someone as determined and strong as she is? While on the hunt for this serial killer, Eric risk his life in more ways than one, especially when Mia is taken again.. To put his life on the line to save her, as to not have a repeat of the past, just tugs at your heart strings.This story had me from the beginning and kept me until the very end!

[bookdivasreads · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mia Hale is the luckiest woman alive since she has escaped the clutches of a serial killer. Regrettably she doesn't remember very much about her abduction or the killer. Eric MacFarlane is hot on the case of the serial killer known as "The Collector," but his motives are questionable as his wife was a victim of this killer just a few years ago. Eric is determined to protect Mia at all costs but is he willing to risk his career?There are serial killers and then there are sick, twisted and sadistic serial killers. The Collector belongs to the latter category and he is determined to keep Eric informed as he abducts and then tortures women up and down the Eastern coast. Fortunately Eric has a secret weapon . . . a survivor, Mia Hale, to help stop this killer once and for all. Using his contacts, Eric uses a relatively new and somewhat dangerous method of collecting suppressed memories. Mia is willing to take the chance because all she wants is her life back without constantly looking over her shoulder for the killer. Little does she know that she is putting her life in danger with the retrieval method Eric proposes, but she's willing to take the chance.Edge of Midnight is the third in the Chasing Evil trilogy by Leslie Tentler but these are not sequential books and can therefore be read out of order. The suspense is more psychological in nature as the killer seems to want to play head-games with his pursuer as he taunts him with each abduction and murder. The characters and action are believable and realistic. The suspense and tension gradually build and kept this reader wanting more. The romance is not front-and-center but seems to build as gradually as the suspense. Edge of Midnight was a fast-paced and thoroughly enjoyable read, perfect for a lazy weekend.