Denver homicide detective Lieutenant Bryson Coventry is seeking a sadistic, psychotic killer who knows no limits when it comes to human depravity. The self-proclaimed “Rock Star” both needs terror and feeds on it; that much is revealed early on. But don’t be fooled into thinking
that gives you an edge on seeing the total picture; author Jim Michael Hansen controls the story right up to the end. Until then, all you can expect are surprises.
Attorney Taylor Sutton starts her morning by using her vibrator. Her longtime friend, criminal attorney Nick Trotter, requests her opinion on a one of his cases - and on a possible attempt on his life. Taylor begins her own hunt for the vicious killer based on very little information from Nick.
Meanwhile, Coventry hooks up with a woman calling herself Darien Jade. As the story progresses, so does their relationship, even though fellow detective Netherwood has investigated the name and tells Coventry that no woman by that name exists.
Coventry and Sutton are pursuing the same person, but by different means. They actually meet and have a drink together, however guarded, never fully understanding that they are seeking the same person. As the story closes, they are brought together again.
The villain, Nathan Wickersham, is so sick that he has converted his basement into a dungeon fully equipped with instruments of torture. Located beside it is the punishment room, where disobedient victims can be further dehumanized and made to pay for their indiscretions. Wickersham even uses a bathtub as a torture device.
Shadow Laws is a fast-moving crime thriller, and Hansen creates powerful suspense, bringing to light fully developed characters and providing hours of entertainment as he rewards the reader with a juicy tale. A nail-biting page-turner, yet another winner from Hansen following Night Laws.