Guilt Game

Roxanne “Rox” MacFarlane, the heroine of this briskly paced series launch from Sellers (The Gender Experiment), used to work for the CIA as an extractor, someone who rescues people in peril. After her sister, Jolene, joined a cult and was killed by its leader, Rox quit the agency and started an investigation firm in Portland, Ore., specializing in extracting girls from cults. Jenny and Dale Carson haven’t seen their 18-year-old daughter, Emma, in months. Emma joined Sister Love, a charity cult, after her best friend died in a car accident while Emma was at the wheel. Sister Love’s founder, Deacon Blackstone, preys on girls plagued by guilt in order to extort money from their desperate families. Rox must find a way to extricate Emma and return her to the Carsons for deprogramming. Among the risks for Rox, who’s autistic and undergoing an experimental treatment to increase her emotional intelligence, is being arrested for kidnapping. Meanwhile, her current romantic relationship with a police officer is showing signs of strain. The shocking ending packs a real punch. (June)