Walking the Dead by Kylie Brant
Former forensic anthropologist Caitlin Fleming knows bones. So the investigator is the first one called when seven sets of skeletal remains are found dumped in a makeshift graveyard in the Oregon wilderness. Each skeleton bears the same distinctive marks. And each is minus a skull.
Cait needs outdoors guide Zach Sharper for one reason only—to help her find her way through the Willamette Forest as she pieces together clues. Despite the attraction that burns between them, nothing will be allowed to shake her focus. Until the killer closes in to terminate the investigation…and the ones on the verge of unmasking him…
This is the third book in Brant’s Mindhunters series and – in my opinion – the best.
Caitlin Fleming was a well known model and then becam a forensic anthropologist. It was only for a few brief years in her teenage years, but it was long enough Cait still has to prove herself more than a good looking mindless twit.
Zach Sharper is opinion of Caitlin is instant. He recognizes her the moment he lays eyes on her and judges her right then. Zach has no idea how she got into law enforcement and can’t imagine that she’s good at anything but being pretty. Cait proving him wrong is really enjoyable to read.
Zach was the person that found the bones, the reason for Cait coming to Oregon. When the Mindhunter’s are called in, things get done. Cait is there to piece the bones together and try to figure out who they are and where they were killed. To do that, she has to scour miles of Oregon wilderness…with Zach as her guide.
The pacing was a little slow because Cait’s job was so tedious. The work of a forensic anthropologist is nothing glamorous. Taking soil samples, contacting detectives about missing person cases, and questioning people in town is necessary to get a profile of their killer.
Cait briefly considers Zach as a suspect, then dismisses it. She does believe that some serial killers need some sort of acknowledgment from their “work”, but doesn’t believe that is the case in this situation. The sheriff isn’t so quick to dismiss Zach as a suspect.
Zach and Cait both have their demons. Zach’s demon is his dad, Cait’s demon is her mom. While Zach has no contact with his dad, Cait’s mom constantly contacts her about returning to modeling. There was twist with Cait’s mom that was surprising and I didn’t quite understand why it was necessary to the story.
Of the three books, Waking the Dead was the best blend of romance and suspense. Zach and Cait were also two of the more likable characters in the series. Kylie Brant definitely has a hit with this series and I look forward to seeing where it goes.
This series begins with Walking Nightmare. Walking Evil is the second in the series.
