Larissa Laroche wasn’t born a monster. She witnessed an indescribable horror in her youth, which was compounded by further tragedies and betrayals. When she lashed out at the world, a series of single men bore the brunt of her murderous anger. A law enforcement dragnet across the globe led to her eventual takedown. The futility of her life sentence is highlighted by mandatory counseling and routinely fighting off fellow inmates. When Larissa meets prison guard Manuela, she is presented with an opportunity. Manuela has a son who is very sick, and Larissa offers to fund the boy’s treatment. Larissa’s largesse is not without a caveat, as Manuela soon learns. Larissa is plotting her way out of her confinement with a plan to wreak vengeance on those who betrayed her.

The story of a woman’s path from innocence to cold-blooded murderess is just one aspect of this splendid psychological thriller. Treachery within her own bloodline, coupled with injustice, fuels her homicidal nature. Larissa’s effective counterpart is Isabella, the former FBI agent who tracked her down and ended her murderous rampage. While Larissa’s actions have left her an outcast from her family, Isabella curtailed her career to preserve her family’s stability. The plot picks up steam as Larissa carries out her audacious plans, and a cat-and-mouse game commences. The book is distinctive for having strong female characters as both villain and heroine. The narrative packs in themes of greed, revenge, and love while never losing focus as it plows its way forward toward a gratifying conclusion.

RECOMMENDED by the US Review

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