The Trespassers

Black (Come, Gentle Night) sets a murder mystery against a paranormal backdrop in this gripping series opener. When Rayna Kirkpatrick learns that her father died the day after they had a blowout fight, she worries that she inadvertently killed him. Though friends dismiss her concerns, Rayna has a secret: along with sensing others’ heartbeats, she can stop hearts at will. Despite lingering anxieties about her abilities, Rayna returns home to Willet Beach, Calif., where she bonds with her sister Annemarie and revives the pottery business she’s neglected since her divorce a year earlier. Unbeknownst to Rayna, the government monitors “Trespassers” with abilities like hers, and when several unexplained deaths are linked back to Rayna, government agent (and fellow Trespasser) Damon Hale is sent to investigate. Soon afterward, an apparent murder occurs in Willet Beach, and Damon and Rayna must try to work together to find the culprit, while Rayna seeks answers as to whether her powers are a gift from God or a dangerous liability. Black’s page-turner is buttressed with sympathetic characters and a smart, fast-moving plot that believably fleshes out the supernatural framework. Readers will eagerly await the next installment. (Sept.)