The killing game

Eve Duncan, a renowned forensic sculptor, is drawn into a deadly game when a psychopath begins leaving victims specifically for her to reconstruct. The killer's obsession with Eve and her work becomes a twisted form of connection, forcing her to confront not only the horror of his crimes but also the dangerous intersection between her professional expertise and personal safety. As Eve works to identify the victims through facial reconstruction, she must navigate the psychological warfare of an intelligent, calculating killer who sees their interaction as something far more personal than a typical criminal investigation. The novel explores themes of artistic talent weaponized against its creator, the psychological toll of forensic work, and the blurred lines between professional detachment and emotional involvement. Eve's remarkable gift for reconstructing faces from skeletal remains becomes both her greatest asset and her deepest vulnerability as the killer's fixation intensifies. With detective Joe Quinn working to protect her while she pursues her dangerous work, the story builds tension through the cat-and-mouse dynamic between hunter and hunted. What makes this thriller compelling is its combination of procedural authenticity with deeply psychological suspense. Johansen crafts a protagonist whose brilliance and dedication make her an irresistible target, creating a high-stakes scenario where exceptional skill offers no guarantee of safety. The novel launches the Eve Duncan series, establishing a complex character caught between her calling and her survival.