Author: J.A. Redmerski
Genre: Thriller, romance
Published on: February 13, 2018, self-published
Izabel and Naeva find themselves right where they wanted to be in Mexico: captured and held in the slave compounds owned by the Ruiz family. But the two are soon separated and forced into very different—but equally dangerous—situations. Izabel spends the next three weeks playing a role she never expected she would get the opportunity to play, but her luck runs out when Naeva’s life hangs in the balance, and only Izabel can save her. But at a terrible cost. If Izabel chooses to help Naeva, it will expose a lie she has been carrying on her shoulders since she met Victor Faust. A lie that will not only potentially make everyone in Victor’s Order distrust her going forward, but one that will also blow her carefully constructed cover In Mexico, and that could get her killed.
Fredrik, still looking for his serial killer, does not have to look long—the killer finds him. And Niklas’s past catches up to him when an old enemy comes back for revenge. But it will be Victor’s actions that shake up those left in his Order, and ultimately, be its downfall.
With six books in the series (now seven) so far, every main character’s had their turn in the spotlight. Victor Faust, the protagonist of Behind the Hands that Kill, was perhaps the most anticipated. Since Sarai/Izabel won his heart, readers have wanted a book told from his POV. Now, the character who started it all gets a starring role again. Yes, it’s Izabel Seyfried. It sure was fantastic that she survived the events of the previous book. And a slit throat, no less! I felt as glad as I felt shocked that Izabel pulled through. That injury is about as lethal as getting stabbed in the heart.
Now that she’s healed, Izabel wastes no time going on the mission she’s longed to do. She already informed the rest of the top members of the Order she works with about her intentions. Nearly all of them (especially Victor) are overprotective of Izabel. She’s had enough of that. Izabel’s long since proved that she can protect herself. With Victor’s reluctant blessing, Izabel departs for the mission. It’s easily the most dangerous she’s handled yet. Izabel’s goal is to unmask an elusive and powerful enemy. He’s known only as Vonnegut, Victor’s former boss.
Victor and his Order have been searching for Vonnegut for a long while now. As long as he’s out there, they can’t live in peace. Izabel wanted to go after Vonnegut because Victor’s Order believe she’s the only one who’s ever seen his face. I won’t go into detail, but it has to do with Izabel’s past in Mexico. The mission involves infiltrating the sex slave trade there. Javier Ruiz, the drug lord who held Izabel captive for years, was formerly in charge. Since Izabel killed him, other people have taken over.
On her way to the mission, someone intercepts Izabel. It’s Naeva, a character introduced near the end of the previous book. She wants to accompany Izabel on the journey. Naeva also has someone she wants to find in Mexico. Izabel agrees to let her come. The two women get into Mexico and in Ruiz territory. It was hardly surprising when they got separated. Izabel manages to end up just where she wanted to. It’s going to take a little while and a lot of grief before Izabel can really start her mission, though. At least she’s been through way worse already.
Spiders in the Grove has two main subplots. One of them involves Victor. He’s going after Artemis, the woman who almost killed Izabel. Victor enlisted the help of fellow Order member Nora Kessler and a couple of surprising allies. Meanwhile, Fredrik is on an assignment of his own. Three books prior, the U.S. government managed to plant a mole in Victor’s Order. They agreed to a deal. The feds will leave the Order alone in exchange for assistance. They want to catch Vonnegut as well. A group of the feds are also hunting a serial killer whose methods are strikingly similar to Fredrik’s. The latter agrees to help the task force catch this killer.
Throughout seven books, the characters in this series have come a long way. Izabel is no longer the tough yet vulnerable Sarai. Victor, Niklas, and Fredrik have also changed so much. The first of them is the one who changed the most. Izabel made him into a completely different man than he was. This both makes him happy and apprehensive. For a contract killer, love can be extremely dangerous. It leads Victor to make a big decision that may permanently change his Order going forward. But first, Izabel must find Vonnegut. Nothing can move forward until they find and eliminate him. This series has teased Vonnegut for long enough that a break needs to be made soon. I can’t wait to see the Order finally catch up to the guy. It’s going to make for an epic showdown.
My rating: ★★★★ 1/2
4.5 stars - A fantastic page-turner!
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