IF YOU KNOW HER - Shiloh Walker
Ash Trilogy , Book 3
Ballantine Books
ISBN: 978-0-345-51755-5
March 2012
Romantic Suspense

Ash, Kentucky - Present Day

Nia Hollister is devastated by the murder of her cousin Joely, and even the news that Joely's murderer was caught doesn't ease Nia's mind.  In the months that follow, she can barely concentrate on work or anything else, and is convinced that there is more to Joely's death than what they know.  Unable to let it go, Nia has started researching police reports regarding women who were raped and murdered when something jumps out at her.  The body of a woman in Chicago was found with a hank of hair cut from her head, and one piece of jewelry missing.  When Nia claimed her body, Joely's hair was much shorter than she would normally wear it, and they still haven't found her favorite necklace.  Nia is sure that the man who killed Joely is murdering again, and she's just as sure that he lives in Ash.

Law Reilly is surprised to see Nia back in Kentucky , and the punch of attraction he feels is just as strong as the first time they met.  Of course, that time Nia pulled a gun on Law and his best friend Hope and threatened to kill them, but sometimes attraction is irresistible.  When he finally learns why Nia came back, Law doesn't dismiss her beliefs as she had assumed he would. Something about the way things happened was too easy for Law, and he can't quite get the pieces to fit.  But, if the police were wrong about the man they believed to be responsible for the murders, as well as the attack on Hope and Law, then the person who committed those crimes is still out there—and they may all still be in danger.

The Ash Trilogy comes to its stunning conclusion in IF YOU KNOW HER.  The small Kentucky town was horrified by the murder of Joely Hollister, and the events that followed the discovery terrorized the residents, especially Lena Riddle, Ezra King, Hope Carson, Law Reilly and Remy Jennings.  In the two previous books, IF YOU HEAR HER and I F YOU SEE HER, readers watched Ezra and Lena fall in love while investigating the strange occurrences in the woods.  A police officer was killed at Law's home and he and Hope were attacked, which led to Remy and Hope falling in love.  Nia was introduced when she came to claim her cousin's body, and her grief coupled with malicious gossip caused her to lash out at Law and Hope.  Now, a year later, Nia is still reeling from her loss, and while the case was closed, some of the information never seemed to fit—even for Ezra (who is now sheriff) or Law (an author of crime novels).  Nia's return to Ash stirs up the killer, who has been patiently waiting to start his games again, but thanks to Nia's not exactly low-profile career as a photojournalist, killing her would only bring attention to him that he doesn't want.  Terrorizing her on the other hand….

The mortification Nia still feels over her confrontation with Law isn't enough to overcome her attraction to him, and it isn't long before they end up in bed.  But Nia is on a mission, and while she tries very hard to keep that the focus of her time in Ash on the murder, she finds herself more and more drawn to Law.  Law is just as affected by Nia, and he's determined to help her find the truth—and protect her as well.

Because there is such a strong connection between the books, and the aspect of the serial killer continues through all three books, I would strongly recommend reading all three in order.  An intriguing book in a fascinating trilogy, IF YOU KNOW HER is a book you won't want to miss.

Jennifer Bishop