Cold Moon by Alexandra Sokoloff

I could have sworn I read the first two books in this series, Huntress Moon and Blood Moon only recently, but it turns out that was in 2013! But still, as soon as I opened the book, I slipped back into the world of Agent Roarke and Cara Lindstrom, where evil is all too real and one injured girl grows up to take matters in her own hands.

Cold Moon is the third book, and as such, it can't be a continuation of the hunt for Cara. Instead, when the book starts, Cara has already been caught. This book deals with the aftermath of Cara being caught, when she escapes (of course. Did you think mere walls would hold her? Ok fine, she got out on bail), and the growing online movement that may have already spilled over into real life. 

As with the past two books, I found myself sympathising with the "killers". Why? Because the men they killed were johns or pimps, men who exploit young girls. This book doesn't shy away from the details; while nothing is sexually explicit, the way these monsters break young girls and turn them into prostitutes is heart-rending. 

One unexpected "star" of this book is Santa Muerte, the female saint of death. The killings in this book come with offerings to her, and there's this sense that since there is such tangible evil in the world, someone, or something, has to come in and provide a balance. Get rid of the evil.

Unlike the other two books, there isn't much focus on Roarke and Cara's relationship in this one. In fact, I thought the dynamics between his team was more prominent. It could also be because the book is no longer focused on Cara (or just Cara and one other serial killer), and has broadened into her impact on society. Is Cara a lone ranger or a call to arms? Everyone has an opinion, but no one knows, not Agent Roake, and not even, I think, Cara.

While I have no idea if this is going to be the last book in the Huntress/FBI Thriller series, the ending certainly feels like one. The tension that was set up in Huntress Moon was very expertly carried for three books, and this book has lost none of the tension. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review.