The Seventh Victim

Bestseller Burton (Before She Dies) delivers action-packed tension as a cold case becomes new again. Lara Church barely survived an attack by the Seattle Strangler. Fear kept her on the run, but seven years later, she’s settled at her inherited family home in Austin, Tex., where she teaches photography at a university. Texas Ranger James Beck works on a case resembling that of the Seattle Strangler: bodies of blondes left in white dresses, each woman holding a penny. He interviews Lara, but she still can’t remember anything about the attack. More women are strangled as the anniversary date of Lara’s narrow escape looms. The blooming love interest between Beck and Lara, the number of red-herring suspects, and the backstory on the victims make this a compelling romantic thriller. (Feb.)