Review of The Shepard by Ethan Cross

I am now finished with Ethan Cross debut thriller/suspense novel, The Shepard. I must say that I really enjoyed reading it. The main character Marcus Williams is pitted against a sadistic serial killer named Francis Akerman Jr. There is so much death and intensity in this book that I could not put it down (once I had time to read). This book is clearly the first a series that I look forward to reading soon. There is so much information missing and character details that need to be readdressed given the ending, that I can't wait to see what else is in store.

I will say that most of the characters are paper thin but it makes perfect sense with it being the beginning of a series. The author doesn't want to put all his cards on the table. There has to be more to keep the reader interested in who these people are and what brought them to the place they are in now. In conclusion, if you're interested in conspiracy theories, insane deranged serial killers, and a damaged hero than this is the book for you. There is blood and there is guts. FYI the ending was not anything I thought it would be but it worked for me. I will be starting The Prophet immediately by Ethan Cross.****

Synopsis: OLD ENEMIES... Francis Ackerman Jr. is one of America's most prolific serial killers. Having kept a low profile for the past year, he is ready to return to work � and he's more brutal, cunning, and dangerous than ever. NEW THREATS... Scarred from their past battles, Special Agent Marcus Williams cannot shake Ackerman from his mind. But now Marcus must focus on catching the Anarchist, a new killer who drugs and kidnaps women before burning them alive. HIDDEN TERRORS... Marcus knows the Anarchist will strike again soon. And Ackerman is still free. But worse than this is a mysterious figure, unknown to the authorities, who controls the actions of the Anarchist and many like him. He is the Prophet and his plans are more terrible than even his own disciples can imagine. With attacks coming from every side, Marcus faces a race against time to save the lives of a group of innocent people chosen as sacrifices in the Prophet's final dark ritual.