This is one walk on the darkside That I was too tempted to resist. Book One.

Her main cover ID is Gin Blanco. Unknown to all, except to the elite few, she is the infamous assassin-for-hire called the Spider. In her down time she works in the Pork Pit, cooking up the best barbecue in Ashland. As a Stone Elemental, she can hear everything from the whispers of the gravel she walks upon to the Appalachian Mountains.

The Appalachian Mountains cut through most of the city. It makes for a beautiful place. But looks are deceiving, More Often than not. Take Mab Monroe for example. Mab is a young, lovely woman. She is therefore a powerful Fire Elemental. Mab runs this town. Heck, Mab OWNS Ashland. Her true nature is hidden behind fund raisers, charity donations, and winning smiles. Mab never hires assassins, like the Spider, to do her dirty work. Mab prefers to personally deal with anyone stupid enough to cross her. In fact, Mab Could Kill someone in front of a room filled with cops and walkaway without any interference.

Gin stays out of Mab's way. The Spider is NOT stupid. She has a few morals left. Gin never kills children or animals. Gin's handler has chosen her assignments for well over a decade. He is one of the few she trusts with her life. So When Air Elemental double-crosses Gin and kills him, Gin is out for revenge. Gin wants to find out who is behind it all, one body at a time.

Detective Donovan Caine is probably the only cop in Ashland That is not corrupted. Donovan wants the Spider dead for personal reasons; HOWEVER, he Agrees to help he assassin for even more personal reasons. But once this is over all promises will be null and void. The Spider will continue her deadly trade and he will do all in his power to arrest the assassin and put her behind bars forever.

***** FIVE STARS! Wow! This is the first of a new series featuring the Spider, on assassin-for-hire. I have to sympathize with the reasons of why Gin learned the trade and I admire the few morals she has. Author Jennifer Estep has created a remarkable and very different type of heroine did kept me reading far later Into The Night than I should have. But watching Detective Caine and the Spider interact reminds me quite a bit of watching Bruce Wayne and the Catwoman on television as a kid. They are very Attracted To eachother, but on opposite sides of the law. This is one walk on the darkside That I was too tempted to resist! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.