Lost Souls Review

There's a big hype about vampires and werewolves thanks to the Twilight saga.  Several weeks ago my dear friend Lisa Carey introduced me to the book Lost Souls.  This typically isn't my kind of book but after reading all four books in the Twilight saga I decided to read it.

Lost Souls goes above and beyond what Twilight does.  In fact, it's more powerful, less romance and more of the things that vampirism is made of.  This book scared me more than once but once I got into it I couldn't put it down.

Kristi Bentz is a 27-year-old going back to All Saints College.  She is wanting to investigate and report on the mysterious disappearance of four coeds who have all vanished within the last 18 months.  Her father, Rick, is a detective with the New Orleans Police Department and fears for her life because he knows that she has already escaped death twice. 

All Saints College is a fictitious location in Louisiana.  A lot of the storyline will pull in information from the events of Hurricane Katrena.  You will see the frustration that a team of investigators experience as nature takes its course.  Files are permanently destroyed, offices are temporarily relocated and the events taking place on campus are sometimes neglected as people continue to recover from the aftermath of the hurricane.   

Kristi has a strange way about her.  She can look at someone and know if something bad is going to happen to them so when she returns to school it becomes mind-boggling for her to encounter one person after another that gives her this queasy sick feeling in the pit of her stomach.  It's almost as if she has some sort of psychic ability. Why do so many look like the walking dead?  What are the things that all the missing girls had in common?  Why is a Catholic college all of a sudden allowing the faculty to teach on vampirism?  You will have to read Lost Souls to find the answers to these questions and so much more.

Lost Souls isn't just a thriller.  There is a love story taking place.  Kristi is re-introduced to an old flame.  What are her ties to some of the staff?  Who is Vladir and why does he want Kristi?  Why are some girls walking around campus with vials of blood hanging around their necks?  Do these vials have anything to do with the missing coeds? What is the significance of the apartment unit where Kristi lives and what does she find hidden there?  Who is keeping their eye on her?

The big question is this: Is there a serial killer on the loose in this small town or is it really a vampire?  Lost Souls has a lot of indepth provocative storylines.  It was probably a bit too much for me with the level of intensity and the language that was used at times.  I found myself cringing every time certain characters spoke because I knew the language would get intense.

The bad guy is a bad guy who is really good at his trade.  I won't tell you what he does because that would give away too much but he has the canny ability to hone in on someeone.  He can identify their weaknesses and desires and like the speed of light he is there like a wolf in sheep's clothing ready to take on his prey.

The book was a little slow for me at the beginning.  I think I had to get about halfway thru it before I was finally hooked.  Okay, you know I am one for pulling out certain passages or quotes and sharing them with you.  Here's a taste of Lost Souls:

• "Philosophically, I believe that you can make your own truth.  People who hallucinate, whether from drugs or medical conditions, see things that are very real to them.  It's their truth, their frame of reference, though it isn't, maybe, anyone else's."(spoken by Lucretia).
• "Don't you get it?"  Elizabeth demanded, hands rising from the scarlet depths. "That's why this isn't working, why my skin hasn't improved.  The blood of those whores is tainted, lacking life."

You will have to read Lost Souls to find out who Elizabeth is and what her ties are to Vladir and Kristi.  One of the most fascinating parts of the book for me was the revelation about Elizabeth.  I didn't see it coming.

As Kristi begins to connect all the pieces to the puzzle the story takes on new life.  When this happens you feel as if you are in a movie and following the characters.

If you are into thrillers you will love this book.  Lisa, thanks for sharing it with me.  Now I'm sending it to a friend and perhaps we will see another review here!  You can read more on Lisa Jackson at her website http://www.lisajackson.com 

Additonal Book Information:

• ISBN: 978-0-7582-1183-5
• Publication Date: 2008
• Publisher: Kensington Books
• Format: 360 pages, hardcover
• Cover Price: $7.99 @ Barnes & Nobles 
• My Price: Gift